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

Chapter 77 I Will Let the Crown Prince Regent (First Update)
In the side hall, Li Chengqian bowed earnestly and said, "Your Majesty, during the October court meeting, I heard from the Tibetan envoy Lu Dongzan that although the Tibetan King Songzan's lineage had been a single successor for three generations, and his descendants had faced difficulties, the royal family within the country was numerous."

As soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, Fang Xuanling turned to look at him in surprise.

"Although Tubo now relies on Songtsen's prestige to suppress both internal and external forces, if there is a problem with the succession of Songtsen's descendants, then unrest will inevitably occur within the royal family and the various non-royal local clans. In this case, there may be an opportunity to exploit." Li Chengqian bowed and said, "As for Tuyuhun, Dangxiang, Subi, Yangtong, etc., they may not be conquered by Tubo so quickly."

Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and Hou Junji couldn't help but look into deep thought.

Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch, also in deep thought.

The desire for power is human nature. Songtsen Gampo now has only one son. If he does not have other heirs in the next three to five years, it is inevitable that some people will have other thoughts about his only son.

The nobles in Tubo and the equally ambitious people in other countries such as Tuyuhun, Dangxiang, Subi, and Yangtong will all be ready to make a move.

Even those who have no ambitions will still have some concerns, and in this case, their loyalty to Tubo will not be so firm.

The people's support or opposition is always revealed in subtle ways.

If Tubo is weak, then the Tang Dynasty will inevitably be strong.

If the northwestern countries are loyal to the Tang Dynasty, they will surely be stable.

If Tubo were to force its way into action, not only would the people be alienated, but once the Tang army advanced, the situation would certainly become much more convenient.

……

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief, then bowed a little embarrassedly and said, "Your son is dull and only has a few superficial opinions."

"The art of war says that in every battle, the right tactics are used to unite forces and the unconventional tactics are used to achieve victory. Your method may be somewhat unusual, but if used strategically, it is very likely to be effective." The emperor nodded in deep admiration, then turned to look at Fang Xuanling and asked, "Prime Minister Fang, is this feasible?"

"It's feasible." Fang Xuanling nodded seriously, then said thoughtfully, "However, we must first spread the news that Songtsen will bring your majesty's grandson to Chang'an in a few years to celebrate the founding of the Tang Dynasty. Then we can bring out the Crown Prince's doubts about his heir. After that, everything else can proceed smoothly."

"If Songtsen can really have a grandson of our father in a few years, it would be even better." Li Chengqian bowed slightly.

If Tubo really has the blood of the Tang Dynasty, then the Tang Dynasty can use this to further infiltrate Tubo.

At least, it would be impossible for Tubo to suddenly raise an army and attack the border of the Tang Dynasty as it did before.

This was the original purpose of the marriage between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo.

But if Songtsen was unable to have children, or if he deliberately prevented the Tang princess from getting pregnant with a child of the Tibetan royal family, that would be another matter.

And judging from what Lu Dongzan is doing in Chang'an now, Li Chengqian's guess may really come true.

Li Shimin nodded directly and said, "Then let's do this. Strengthen border defenses, infiltrate Tuyuhun and Dangxiang, spread rumors to shake the foundation, and take advantage of the marriage to send people into Tubo to investigate Tubo's strengths and weaknesses, especially its political and military systems, terrain, and the changes in people's hearts. All of this is included in this marriage. All departments should make preparations."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and Hou Junji all bowed solemnly at the same time.

Li Chengqian couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He really couldn't bear to see Princess Wencheng marry into Tubo. But even with all his tricks, it ultimately only aroused the emperor's suspicion of the Tubo people. As for more, there was nothing more at the moment.

This uncomfortable marriage is about to continue.

"Chengqian." The emperor's voice rang out from above, and Li Chengqian immediately bowed and said, "Your son is here!"

"I have discovered that you have some excellent insights into the affairs of various countries. So please pay more attention to the affairs of Tubo in the future." Li Shimin said solemnly.

"Your son obeys the order!" Li Chengqian said solemnly with a bow.

"Okay, that's it for the Tubo matter. You go back first, and I will talk to Jun Ji for a while." Li Shimin raised his head slightly.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian, Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng immediately bowed, then turned around calmly, walked past Hou Junji and headed towards the inner hall.

Li Chengqian walked in front, his eyes sweeping across the entire side hall. He finally confirmed that Li Tai was really not here.

Was the news brought by Hou Junji enough for the emperor to call Li Tai over for a face-to-face confrontation?

Li Chengqian knew that Li Tai had nothing to refute about these things, but with the emperor's favor for Li Tai, he could easily exonerate Li Tai of these things.

Why is it a little different today?
How did the emperor punish Li Tai?

Li Chengqian's eyes darkened.

……

"The prince doesn't like Tibetans." Li Shimin withdrew his gaze from Li Chengqian's back, then looked at Hou Junji and said, "So in this matter, you have to help him more. The information about Tibetans from the Military Affairs Department must be passed on to the prince regularly." "Yes!" Hou Junji immediately bowed, but his brows were furrowed as he lowered his head. Even the affairs of state had to be handed over to the prince. Has the emperor completely given up on King Wei?
"If the prince has any decision, please inform me when I am here. If I am not here, you and the Minister of War should discuss it and then carry it out." After Li Shimin finished speaking, Hou Junji raised his head with a puzzled look on his face. What does "I am here" mean and what does "I am not here" mean?

The emperor smiled softly and said, "Tomorrow, during the New Year's Day court session, I will announce the marriage of Princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo of Tubo. The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Secretariat have already determined that the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the best day for departure. Therefore, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Lu Dongzan and Wencheng will depart for Tubo."

"Yes!" Hou Junji bowed seriously.

"There will be imperial examinations in February and March. In April, I will tour Luoyang and Taiyuan in the east. At that time, I will let the crown prince govern the country." Li Shimin's expression became solemn.

"Yes!" Hou Junji immediately bowed deeply.

It is not uncommon for the crown prince to be regent. In recent years, the emperor has made an eastern tour almost every year, whether the duration is long or short, and it is basically always the crown prince who is regent.

It’s just that something happened to the crown prince this year, so the emperor didn’t go on the eastern tour.

This is not the point. Combined with what the emperor just said, it seems that when the emperor tours the east next year, he will give the prince certain real power.

In the past, although the crown prince was regent, Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng and others would leave others in Chang'an to assist in the administration.

Although the crown prince is called the regent, in reality, he is just a symbol and has no real power at all.

All matters were discussed by the ministers and reported to the Crown Prince. After the Crown Prince nodded, they were promulgated throughout the country in his name.

The prince can question and discuss with ministers, but he does not have the right to make decisions alone.

Now the emperor has changed his usual behavior and suddenly delegated power, which made Hou Junji feel weird, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.

"When the time comes, let the Crown Prince pay close attention to Lu Dongzan's return to Tubo. You should assist him well. I want to see what the Crown Prince's abilities are." The emperor looked solemn.

"Yes!" Hou Junji bowed solemnly.

……

Li Shimin raised his head and looked outside the hall, and said softly: "Jun Ji, I have dismissed you from your position as Vice Minister of State Affairs this time. I believe you must have some thoughts in your mind, right?"

"Your Majesty!" Hou Junji immediately bowed in shock and said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong and have no other intentions."

Li Shimin waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "I have thought about your matter carefully. In fact, what the prince said is correct. You are still lacking in handling local political affairs.

This may be because I directly appointed you as the Minister of War and the Minister of Personnel, resulting in your lack of experience in local affairs."

"I have made a mistake." Hou Junji bowed solemnly.

The emperor shook his head slightly and said, "Jun Ji, I can actually offer you the position of Vice Minister of State Affairs, but if I do that, for quite a long time, until you have made up for your shortcomings, I will not allow you to serve as Minister of the Court, Minister of the Secretariat, or even the Ministers of the Left and Right."

Hou Junji wanted to look up in surprise, but he restrained his desire.

"I have high expectations of you, Junji." Li Shimin sighed softly, then looked at Hou Junji seriously and said, "Prime Minister Fang is old, as you can see. As the Minister of the Left, he is the most hardworking person in the entire court, even more so than me.

I hope you can gradually take over the position of Shangshu Zuo Pushe after him, so I need you to have a good experience."

Although the Vice Prime Minister was the Prime Minister, he was not actually even the Vice Prime Minister of the three ministries.

If Hou Junji did not still hold the position of Minister of Personnel, he would probably be ranked last in the Council of State.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace." Hou Junji bowed deeply, his face solemn, but also with a sense of sadness that he felt.

Fang Xuanling is old, and how much better can Hou Junji be?

"In the future, you should help the prince more and also keep a closer eye on him. Mistakes are inevitable, so just correct them in time." The emperor's eyes fell casually on Hou Junji.

Hou Junji raised his eyebrows and immediately bowed and said, "Yes!"

"Hmm!" Li Shimin stood up and said with a smile, "Let's go in and have a couple of drinks together."

"Your Majesty..." Hou Junji bowed in fear.

"Since you're here," Li Shimin waved his hand, looking outside the hall, and said, "Su Lie is here too, right? Ask him to come too."

"Here!"

(End of this chapter)