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

Chapter 78: His Majesty said to beat them to death, and he will definitely beat them to death (Part )

In the grand and bright Taiji Hall, Su Dingfang bowed solemnly to the emperor on the steps.

The emperor smiled, nodded and waved his hand.

Su Dingfang bowed again, and then walked to the empty seat on the left, which was next to Hou Junji.

Sitting solemnly, Su Dingfang looked at Hou Junji in surprise.

Hou Junji shook his head slightly, now was not the time to speak.

Su Dingfang turned and glanced upwards. The Crown Prince sat on the left side of the steps, opposite him sat the Princess of Wei and the Crown Prince of Wei. The Prince of Jin and Princess Jinyang sat on one side, and Princess Chengyang and another...

"My lords." The emperor's voice suddenly rang out, and Su Dingfang glanced upwards.

……

Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch, looking at everyone in the hall with satisfaction. He raised his wine cup and said, "On New Year's Eve, relatives and friends gather together to celebrate and congratulate the New Year. Come on, my lords, I offer you another toast. I wish the world peace and prosperity in the coming year."

"May the world be peaceful and prosperous." Everyone stood up, clasped their hands together and bowed to wish.

"Come here, I will give you some money so that we can enjoy a prosperous life together." Li Shimin waved his hand gently, and Zhang Ananda on the side immediately bowed and turned around.

The next moment, more than a dozen sturdy eunuchs came in from the side halls. Two of them carried a large box and walked to each table in the hall. Then they took out a handful of Ruyi coins from the box and scattered them directly on the table.

Li Chengqian watched as Zhang Ananda personally stepped forward and poured half of the Ruyi money from the box onto the table in front of Li Chengqian, then turned to Yan Wan's side.

Li Chengqian turned around and bowed slightly to the emperor on the throne.

Ruyi money, also known as palace money.

Gold and silver Ruyi coins specially minted by the palace for the New Year.

It is the same size as the ordinary Kaiyuan Tongbao, but the amount of gold and silver it contains is far greater than the popular Kaiyuan Tongbao on the market.

The front is engraved with the four characters "Zhenguan Chongbao", and the back is engraved with auspicious words such as "The Emperor Lives Forever", "Peace in the World", "Long Life and Wealth", "Dragon and Phoenix Appearing Together", "Good Luck and Happiness", "Longevity and Health", etc., which represent the emperor's good wishes.

People believe that getting this kind of Ruyi money can bring them some of the emperor's good fortune, so it is more popular.

But unfortunately, apart from the royal family and nobles in the court, the only people who could receive the Zhenguan Ruyi money every year were a few lucky elders, a very small number of common people, and a very small number of soldiers in the army.

Li Chengqian picked up one and stroked it gently. It felt warm and comfortable, with a delicate luster and exquisite calligraphy. Every detail had been carefully polished, making people unable to help but play with it all the time.

What a good thing!

……

Lu Dongzan was also amazed when he saw the exquisite Zhenguan Ruyi coins in front of him.

One of these things is worth hundreds of ordinary Kaiyuan Tongbao coins.

While he was in a daze, the emperor's voice came from above: "State envoy."

Lu Dongzan came back to his senses instantly and looked up. The emperor was holding a wine jar and looking at him with a smile.

Lu Dongzan quickly raised his glass and shouted, "Your Majesty!"

"I apologize for the poor hospitality tonight." Li Shimin looked at Princess Wencheng with a smile and said, "Wencheng, come and toast the envoy with me."

Princess Wencheng bowed, then stood up, bowed slightly to the emperor, and then looked at Lu Dongzan.

Lu Dongzan immediately understood that Princess Wencheng would soon become the princess of their Zamp, no, the queen.

Li Chengqian watched Lu Dongzan drink a glass of wine with some fear and trepidation, and couldn't help but sigh and lower his head slightly.

This marriage had no flaws except for the lack of children and Songtsen's early death.

Songtsen respected her enough and loved her very much. If this marriage could last, and if they could have one or two children, it would be even better.

For some reason, Li Chengqian felt uncomfortable.

When will the women of the Tang Dynasty no longer be forced to marry into other countries because of such things?

Li Chengqian turned his head and looked at Lu Dongzan with cold eyes.

Lu Dongzan put down his wine glass and looked up. When he saw this scene, his heart skipped a beat for some reason and he subconsciously forced a smile on his face.

Li Chengqian sneered lightly, then looked away.

The dance and music in the palace started up again. Sitting on the imperial couch, the emperor watched all this calmly, his eyes deep.

……

Before I knew it, midnight had passed.

The kings and princesses, several prime ministers, Du He, Fang Yiai and others, as well as Lu Dongzan and others, have all dispersed.

In a few hours, it will be the New Year's Day ceremony.

Li Chengqian supported Su Shu, while Li Xiang and Li Jue stayed in the palace. They fell asleep very early.

As I walked past the Tai Chi Hall, the cool breeze of the night blew in my face.

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and was about to say something when he was suddenly stunned. Under the Tai Chi of the palace in front of him, a figure was standing there.

The fiery red lantern illuminated the face, and it was none other than Hou Junji.

"Your Highness." Hou Junji bowed seriously to Li Chengqian.

"Duke Chen." Li Chengqian nodded gently, then looked at Su Shu and said, "Crown Princess, please go back first..."

"No need." Hou Junji quickly waved his hand, then said seriously, "I only have one thing to say. Your Majesty is already making arrangements for next year... for the Eastern Tour this April. Please prepare for it! I'll take my leave."

After Hou Junji finished speaking, he turned around and left without saying anything more.

Li Chengqian's expression turned serious.

"Your Highness!" Su Shu looked up at Li Chengqian and asked with a puzzled look on her face, "What does Duke Chen mean by this?"

"The emperor is on an eastern tour, and I'm going to be the regent." Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and said, "Let's go back to the palace. This is not a big deal."

"Oh!" Su Shu nodded in relief, then walked towards Chengtian Gate with the support of Li Chengqian. She did not notice that Li Chengqian had a serious expression while walking.

Regent, that was such a long time ago!

……

Hou Junji walked out of Chengtian Gate first, mounted his horse and headed out of the palace with Su Dingfang.

After leaving the Suzaku Gate, Su Dingfang looked back at the palace and couldn't help asking, "General, is this the end of the matter?"

"What else?" Hou Junji glanced at him, then stopped his horse and looked towards the Taimiao. "The King of Wei received sixty lashes. You know His Majesty's temper. If he said he would beat me to death, he would definitely beat me to death."

Su Dingfang nodded slightly, he was sure of this.

"And Fang Yiai, after marrying the princess, was originally going to be promoted to General of the Right Guard, even higher than you. But now, he's being sent to Songzhou as a Chief Secretary." Hou Junji shook his head and said, "The only pity is that the two guards will be sent to the front of the army to die in battle. Isn't that enough?"

Su Dingfang didn't know how to refute it for a moment. He concentrated a little and said, "I originally thought that Your Majesty would punish the King of Wei lightly and punish Fang Yiai more severely, or even execute the two guards to appease the people. But I didn't expect Your Majesty to punish the King of Wei severely and let Fang Yiai and the two guards go."

"Do you hope to see Fang Yiai's engagement with the princess annulled?" Hou Junji's face darkened.

"I dare not. I just feel that although this kind of treatment is justifiable, there is always something wrong." Su Dingfang's face looked a little uncomfortable, but he couldn't tell where he was uncomfortable.

Hou Junji calmed down at this moment. He nodded gently and said, "Your thoughts are similar to mine. I originally thought that His Majesty would punish the King of Wei lightly and severely punish Fang Yiai and the two guards. But I never thought that His Majesty would cancel the engagement with the Fang family. If that happened, Prime Minister Fang would be hurt, and the court would be in turmoil!"

"Yes!" Su Dingfang suddenly realized.

"And as of now, His Majesty is very disappointed with King Wei. The Eastern Palace will be trusted more in the future." Hou Junji looked gently in the direction of the Eastern Palace. It was precisely because the emperor had given such a hint that Hou Junji had told the prince about the regent before.

Compared with the Crown Prince, the King of Wei is really too far behind. As long as the Crown Prince's injured leg heals, the King of Wei will always be just the King of Wei.

"Also." Hou Junji turned abruptly, looking at Su Dingfang with cold eyes, and said, "There are some things that Your Majesty hasn't mentioned, but that doesn't mean Your Majesty doesn't care. Zhou Cang is the commander of the Jinwu Guard, but he was bribed by the Tibetans to harm the King of Jin. If this matter is to be investigated, you, Su Dingfang, will also be held seriously responsible."

"Yes!" Su Dingfang suddenly became stern and said with a bow, "I understand."

"Very good, let's go. We still have a lot of things to do tonight. No one can interfere in the dispute over the imperial family of the Tang Dynasty and remain unscathed." Hou Junji turned around with a solemn expression and immediately headed towards the Yongzhou official residence.

Su Dingfang hesitated for a moment, but still followed closely.

Even on New Year's Day, there were fewer people on Chang'an Avenue after midnight.

While galloping on horseback, Su Dingfang couldn't help but look towards the direction of the Taimiao with a solemn expression.

Is your Majesty's punishment of the King of Wei really a punishment?
(End of this chapter)