My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Su Wan told Li Chengan about Fang Yi'ai's request, asking them to help find Sun Simiao to treat his illness.

After hearing about this, Li Chengan's mood became heavy.

He sensed that something might happen between Fang Yi'ai and Princess Gaoyang.

Fang Yi'ai actually started keeping Qiu Tianjiao as a mistress in the south of the city.

Because of this incident, Princess Gaoyang once had Qiu Tianjiao arrested.

Li Chengan thought to himself that Fang Yi'ai was quite the troublemaker; people won't die if they don't act recklessly.

"Even if it's not for Fang Yi'ai's sake, we still have to find a way to treat him for Princess Gaoyang's sake," Li Chenggan said.

Su Wan pursed her lips: "You make it sound so easy. First of all, this disease is difficult to cure;

Secondly, Sun Simiao is on the Penglai Immortal Island, thousands of miles away. For Fang Yi'ai, we still need to go to the Penglai Immortal Island.

Besides, you know Sun Simiao's temper; he didn't claim he could cure everyone's illness.

Moreover, Fang Yi'ai was also very despicable in his actions.

How could he frame me and my brother?

It's fortunate that you retrieved those Tibetan tribute items; what if you hadn't?

If your father were to punish you, who could bear the consequences?

That's a crime punishable by death.

I heard that a physician had prescribed him medicine and told him not to do anything reckless for a month, but he couldn't resist.

Let's talk about this later.

Write a letter to Songtsen Gampo, asking him to take some time to come to Chang'an soon and meet Princess Wencheng.

If neither party has any objections, then the matter is settled.

Li Chengan thought Su Wan's words made sense, so he picked up his pen and quickly wrote a letter, which he then sent out by carrier pigeon.

morning.

Lizheng Hall.

Empress Zhangsun got up and ate a bowl of bird's nest soup. A little sweat appeared on her forehead, and her complexion became rosy.

Just then, Li Tai arrived and knelt down to greet her.

Empress Zhangsun waved her hand: "Qingque, get up."

Li Tai struggled to his feet after a long while. Recently, he had gained a lot of fat, at least half the size of a pig's butt.

He didn't know why, but it seemed like he was prone to weight gain, even from drinking cold water.

Empress Zhangsun looked at Li Tai and asked, "How are your studies going lately?"

"I've been reading the Zizhi Tongjian recently."

"Wasn't the Zizhi Tongjian compiled by Li Chenggan and his colleagues?"

"Yes."

"Any insights or reflections?"

"Your subject thinks this book is quite well written. It begins in the 23rd year of King Weilie of Zhou (403 BC)."

Let's start with the division of Jin into three states.

It analyzes the rise and fall of dynasties very thoroughly.

"Then you should read this book carefully."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will read it carefully. However—."

"But what?!"

"I cannot agree with some of the statements in the book," Li Tai said, shaking his head.

"Oh, what statements? Tell me about them."

According to the Zizhi Tongjian, Empress Dowager Dou believed in Huang-Lao philosophy. However, Emperor Wu of Han listened to Dong Zhongshu's advice, dismissed all other schools of thought, and exclusively honored Confucianism.

This means that the Huang-Lao school of thought should be abandoned.

Since Liu Bang founded the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty had always revered the Huang-Lao philosophy and allowed the people to recuperate and thrive, which led to the later reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing.

The Huang-Lao school of thought is represented by Laozi, whose surname was Li.

He was our ancestor!

To oppose Lao Tzu is tantamount to opposing the Tang Dynasty.

In fact, Li Tai's statement is far-fetched.

"This—." Empress Zhangsun frowned upon hearing this, because she knew that Li Shimin also acknowledged her as a descendant of Laozi.

Therefore, they have a special reverence for Lao Tzu.

Li Shimin would not allow anyone to oppose Laozi.

I never expected you to say something so sharp.

"Here's what we'll do: when you have time, bring me the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government) so I can take a look."

Let's see what the above actually says.

"OK."

Empress Zhangsun picked up her teacup, took a sip, and asked, "Has anything happened in the palace recently?"

Li Tai then recounted how Su Wan took over the Bureau of Clothing and Costumes, and how the Tibetan tributes were lost.

Empress Zhangsun was quite surprised when she heard this.

During this period, things were very turbulent in the palace; first, the imperial seal was lost.

Later, the tribute was lost.

Empress Zhangsun knew that the tributes from various countries were often very precious and priceless, especially from powerful Western Region countries like Tibet.

"Isn't the current ruler of Tibet Songtsen Gampo?" Empress Zhangsun asked.

"Yes."

Why would he send us such valuable tribute?

"I heard that Songtsen Gampo intends to marry a princess from the Tang Dynasty."

"In that case, those tributes must have been even more valuable."

"Yes."

"Have those offerings been recovered?"

"It's been found."

"That's good. Who found it?"

"Uh," Li Tai paused, "it's Li Chenggan."

"So, Chenggan is quite capable after all," Empress Zhangsun said, a smile appearing on her face.

Li Tai saw this and felt very unhappy: "Although the tribute has been recovered, Su Wan and Su Gui, the brother and sister, neglected their duties and did not take the affairs of the royal family seriously."

"What do you mean by that?" Empress Zhangsun frowned when she heard Li Tai say such a thing.

When Xu Hui returned to her hometown, she recommended Su Wan to take over the Shangfu Bureau to her father.

Su Wan can refuse, right?

If Su Wan refuses, her father won't blame her.

At that time, the Emperor could have appointed someone else to take over the Bureau of Imperial Clothing.

However, Su Wan did not refuse and took over the Shangfu Bureau.

Now that Su Wan has taken over, shouldn't she pay more attention and treat the affairs of the Imperial Clothing Bureau as her own?

But the siblings seemed to treat it like a game; clearly, Su Wan didn't take the Bureau of Clothing and Apparel seriously.

Fang Yi'ai invited Su Gui out for drinks; Su Gui was supposed to be on duty that night.

Logically speaking, Su Gui should have refused; she shouldn't have gone drinking, and she shouldn't have left the Shangfu Bureau.

But Su Gui simply left.

If this were a matter concerning his own family, he probably wouldn't have handled it this way.