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

Chapter 80 The emperor is old, he should abdicate and become the emperor emeritus
The first day of the first lunar month, the fifteenth year of Zhenguan.

At the third quarter of the morning, the sky was dark.

In the silence, with a "creak", the gate of the East Palace opened wide.

Li Chengqian, dressed in a light yellow round-necked robe with nine pythons and nine emblems, a nine-beam crown on his head, and jade ornaments and gold talismans on his waist, came out of the east gate on a sedan chair.

Li Anyan followed beside him, and Helan Chushi brought a dozen Qianniu Guards to guard from both sides, and then they went towards Chengtian Gate together.

Li Chengqian sat on the sedan chair and raised his head slightly, looking towards the direction of Suzaku Gate.

At this time, you can faintly hear the sound of orderly footsteps.

Li Chengqian exhaled a breath of hot air gently, then inhaled a breath of cold air, and he woke up instantly.

On New Year's Day, all officials above the ninth rank in Chang'an, whether they had already met the emperor at the end of the year or had asked for leave to return to Chang'an for the New Year, had to go to Taiji Hall to participate in the New Year's Day court.

Not only them, but also retired officials of sufficient rank in Chang'an City, envoys from foreign countries, and representatives of scholars will all attend the court today.

As the sedan chair swayed, Li Chengqian's eyes gradually calmed down. After all the planning at the end of last year, he had finally regained his foothold in the court.

Last year, something happened in the Eastern Palace, and the emperor immediately sided with the King of Wei, causing unrest in the court and the country.

But after what happened last night, everyone will understand that the battle in which King Wei tried to challenge the position of the Eastern Palace ended with the victory of the Eastern Palace.

The prince's position is solid and unshakable.

Of course, Li Chengqian knew that the emperor would still have his own thoughts, but as long as he did not make any mistakes, the emperor would not be too obviously biased towards Li Tai.

This is enough.

It is enough to reassure all officials.

Li Chengqian looked at the Chengtian Gate gradually appearing in the distance and smiled calmly in his heart.

Now, the positions between him and Li Tai have been reversed, and in the future, the one who will be anxious will be Li Tai.

If you are anxious, you will easily make mistakes.

……

Li Chengqian met the ministers at Chengtian Gate almost at the same time.

Wearing a light yellow robe with nine pythons and nine emblems, Li Chengqian placed his hand on the long sword at his waist and stood calmly at the Chengtian Gate. Then he nodded solemnly to the civil and military officials opposite him.

His body was straight and resolute, his face was cold and solemn.

The prime ministers including Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, Wei Zheng and others who followed Li Chengqian all bowed slightly to show their respect.

Li Zhi standing on the left of Li Chengqian.

Behind Li Zhi were Prince of Jing Li Yuanjing, Prince of Han Li Yuanchang and other princes of the royal family, Prince of Wu Li Ke and others, and there were others standing behind.

Behind the kings were military generals including Cheng Zhijie, Yuchi Gong, Li Daliang, Li Ji, Zhang Liang, Niu Jinda, Duan Zhixuan, Zhishisili, Guo Xiaoke, and Su Dingfang.

All the kings, ministers, and generals were equipped with weapons.

The same is true for Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

The grand court session on New Year’s Day is permitted by court regulations.

Envoys from more than 40 countries, including the Turkic, Arab, Persian, Indian, Tibetan, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, Wakoku, Khotan, Kucha, Yanqi, Shule, Ryukyu, Annan, Zhenla, Java, Uighur, and Tiele, followed cautiously behind the prime ministers, chancellors, vice ministers, and junior ministers.

The other elders and students of the Imperial Academy stood even further back.

Almost everyone bowed slightly when they saw Li Chengqian, even someone as rebellious as Cheng Zhijie did the same.

There was only one person who nodded happily and greeted Li Chengqian when he saw him. That person was Wu Guogong Yuchi Jingde.

Li Chengqian bowed slightly in return with a hint of gratitude.

In his previous life, when he had difficulty walking, many people began to stay away from him, many people began to blame him, and some people even encouraged him to rebel, but there was only one person who said it directly in front of the emperor.

When the emperor gets old, he should abdicate and become the emperor emeritus.

The prince will handle all the affairs of the world.

This person is Yuchi Jingde.

Yuchi Jingde's innocent words made the emperor smile indifferently, but Li Chengqian deeply remembered this kindness.

……

"Boom boom boom" the fifth watch drum sounded and the palace gate opened wide.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the eunuch Zhang Ananda walked out of Chengtian Gate with a solemn expression, flicked his whisk, and shouted loudly: "It's the first day of the new year, the emperor is holding an early court, and all the ministers are here to congratulate him!"

Li Chengqian stood at the front of the ministers and bowed solemnly.

Zhang Ananda turned around and stood aside. Li Chengqian put his hand on the long sword at his waist and walked forward calmly.

Following Li Chengqian were prime ministers including Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, Wei Zheng, and countless civil and military officials, all walking forward.

On the palace walls, flags were waving and swords and spears were standing tall.

The officials below marched forward in an orderly manner, holding tablets in their hands and with expressions of awe.

Torches were lit high on both sides of the wide and straight palace road.

Red silks and satins can be seen everywhere, attracting good luck.

Hundreds of torches surrounded the horses, spreading across the city.

As we walked forward, the Tai Chi Hall was right in front of us.

At the moment when Li Chengqian stepped onto the golden steps, the first rays of the sun in the eastern sky shone on the walls of the Taiji Palace, shining brightly and dazzlingly.

……

In the Taiji Hall, Li Chengqian stood on the third golden step with a jade tablet in his hand and a solemn expression, while Li Zhi stood two steps below.

Prince Li Tai of Wei disappeared.

The ministers all looked solemn. Although many of them saw it clearly and looked serious, no one blinked and paid attention.

The Palace Censors stood on both sides of the hall, looking straight at the ministers. If anyone made the slightest mistake, the Palace Censors would impeach them and send them to exile thousands of miles away tomorrow.

Just as the hearts of the ministers were in turmoil, at the gate of Taiji Hall, the eunuch of the Ministry of Ceremonies shouted loudly, "Your Majesty has arrived."

All the ministers in the hall bowed their heads at the same time.

Wearing a black robe with nine dragons and nine chapters emblazoned on it with gold edges, a twelve-tassel white jade hat, and a long sword with a black sheath slung over his waist, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Heavenly Khan Li Shimin, walked slowly into the hall with a stern face.

The eunuch Zhang Ananda and the imperial guard general Zhang Shigui lagged behind with solemn expressions.

Originally, the empress could attend the court on New Year's Day, but since the tenth year of Zhenguan, when Li Chengqian's mother died of illness, the emperor had not appointed another empress.

Although there were various rumors in the inner court, Li Chengqian, Li Tai and Li Zhi did not even need to take action, as other court officials had already submitted memorials to advise against it.

Especially Wei Zheng. If there was even the slightest hint of something, Wei Zheng would immediately file a petition.

……

The emperor's figure walked out from in front of him, and Li Chengqian lowered his head solemnly.

Li Shimin walked calmly to the dragon bed and sat down.

He glanced to the left, and the eunuch minister immediately stepped forward and shouted, "The Emperor has arrived. All officials should bow and march."

As the shout fell, everyone in the hall took half a step forward at the same time and knelt on one knee on the ground.

The eunuch in charge of ceremonial affairs continued to shout, "Take off your shoes!"

All the ministers took off their thick boots at the same time.

Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian. He could clearly see that Li Chengqian's shoes and socks were much larger than before.

Although there are some delays in the actions, they are not noticeable unless you pay special attention.

Could it be that there has been new progress on his mechanical vine armor?
The voice of the eunuch department's ceremonial official sounded again: "Draw your swords!"

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, took off the sword he was carrying and put it aside.

Other officials and generals in the hall who were carrying swords also took off their swords.

The grand court meeting was the only time when all the ministers in the world could openly bring their swords to the imperial palace.

Of course, not everyone is qualified to wield a sword.

Most of those who have this qualification are civil and military officials who hold official positions, titles, or honors of the third rank or above.

"Bow down!" The eunuch's ceremonial officer glanced at them calmly.

All the ministers immediately knelt on the ground, kowtowed deeply, and shouted in unison: "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you and wish you a long life."

The grand voice echoed throughout the Tai Chi Hall.

……

Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch, looking at the ministers bowing their heads in the hall. His expression gradually became indifferent and he raised his hand slightly.

The eunuch on the side shouted again: "Xing!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The ministers then kowtowed and stood up, holding their tablets and standing solemnly with their eyes lowered.

Wei Zheng, Duke of Zheng, a special minister, assistant minister of state, and director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, stepped out from among the ministers with a solemn expression. He walked to the center of the hall, held his hut, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I, Wei Zheng, director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, report to you that in the fourteenth year of the Zhenguan reign, the weather has been favorable, the people are content, all businesses are flourishing, and the country is at peace. On behalf of all the people of the world, I wish Your Majesty a long life."

Li Shimin nodded calmly and said, "Thank you for your hard work, my dear ministers!"

The ministers bowed their heads again.

The emperor looked to one side and nodded, "Prince!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Li Chengqian bowed solemnly, then skillfully took the imperial edict from the tray held by a eunuch beside him, took three steps forward, and handed it to Wei Zheng.

Wei Zheng bowed slightly to Li Chengqian, took the imperial edict with both hands, then turned to face the ministers and said loudly, "There is an order!"

Li Chengqian, Li Zhi, and all the officials in the palace knelt on the ground again: "We listen to the Holy Teachings!"

Wei Zheng said loudly: "Tonight is the beginning of the new year, and the world is at peace. All directions are at peace, merits and virtues are equally shared, and benevolence is shared both internally and externally... The king's utmost benevolence is evident, which is a sign of peace.

Heaven has its own calendar, which determines our dynasty.

His power and grace are great, and people from afar are submissive.

I share the joy of taking up my new position with you.”

"We share the joy of your new position with your Majesty." All the ministers bowed in unison and congratulated him in unison: "We respectfully wish your Majesty a long life and pray that the Tang Dynasty will endure forever."

"Long live the Tang Dynasty. My dear ministers, please stand up." The emperor's voice sounded again, and the ministers stood up again.

"Come here, dance!" As soon as the emperor finished speaking, forty-nine Qianniu Guards came in from outside the door.

The knife light flashed, as dense as a net.

The army formation was stretched out and the murderous intent was fierce.

The ministers from various countries stood solemnly at the back, feeling more and more awed.

Especially Lu Dongzan, his expression became more and more solemn.

The Tang Dynasty, which often held banquets with sword-dancing, was like a heavy mountain, weighing on his heart all the time.

After the King of Qin finished his dance to break the formation, Qianniu withdrew.

All the ministers shouted in unison: "Your Majesty is mighty, long live the Tang Dynasty."

The eunuch in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs shouted loudly, "Bow again!"

The ministers bowed their heads again and shouted in unison: "Your Majesty, we respectfully wish you a long life, a long life, a long life..."

"Everyone, please stand up!" Li Shimin, who was sitting on the imperial couch, nodded with satisfaction.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The ministers then stood up.

Cen Wenben, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty, the memorials submitted by various states present auspicious signs and congratulate Your Majesty on his long life."

"Yes!" The emperor nodded calmly.

Two Qianniu Guards immediately carried a case with memorials and placed it on the right side of Cen Wenben, while the Jieshizhong placed a case with auspicious memorials on it on the left side of Cen Wenben.

Li Shimin nodded slightly, and Cen Wenben bowed and retreated.

Cui Renshi, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, stepped forward, bowed, and reported. At the same time, the Qianniu Guards placed the tributes from various states on both sides of the auspicious signs and the memorials.

Wen Wuyin, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness Wen Wuyin, the Minister of Rites, has a report to the emperor, urging the various tribes to offer tribute."

Li Shimin nodded slightly and looked to the side. Wei Zheng stepped forward to accept the order and said, "The emperor says it is okay."

The Junior Official of the Imperial Treasury and the Junior Secretary of the Honglu Temple, accompanied by two others, led the various tribes forward with tribute.

A burly man, clearly dressed like a Turk, wearing a fur hat with gold beads and a clean leather coat, stepped forward and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I, Ashina Hubo, the governor of Dingxiang, present three thousand fine horses to congratulate His Majesty the Emperor on his longevity."

……

Countries such as the Turks, the Arabs, Persia, and India came forward one after another to offer gifts, including golden basins, secret medicines, pearls, corals, etc.

Finally, the Tibetan envoy Lu Dongzan stepped forward, knelt on the ground with the memorial in his hand, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I, the Tibetan envoy Lu Dongzan, present 6,000 fine horses to congratulate His Majesty the Emperor and wish him a long life."

Li Shimin's breathing suddenly became serious. He looked at Lu Dongzan and nodded slightly. The Tibetans were generous enough when it came to giving gifts.

Li Chengqian's expression became serious, and the main show was about to begin.

(End of this chapter)