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

morning.

Chang'an City.

Princess Wencheng's room.

Su Wan came to visit Princess Wencheng.

The two young women chatted and laughed, whispering endless secrets to each other.

Princess Wencheng had a rosy complexion, looked radiant, and appeared particularly energetic.

Su Wan smiled and said, "Princess, you must be basking in the glow of love?"

Now she's blossomed into an even more beautiful young woman.

Princess Wencheng smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, aren't you and my brother even sweeter together?"

"Your elder brother is always busy with this and that. It's been a long time since we've been alone together," Su Wan said, her expression turning somewhat somber.

As Princess Wencheng organized some clothes and dowry, she said, "Do you like the kind of man who's always doting on you?"

Shouldn't men have their own things to do?

Su Wan's expression softened slightly: "You're right,"

When do you and Songtsen Gampo plan to get married?

"A few days ago, he came to me and said that he plans to get married soon."

I said, "What's the rush?"

Su Wan chuckled upon hearing this: "You may not be in a hurry, but others certainly are."

Men are all like that; when they meet a woman they like, they can't wait to marry her.

I have already prepared some fine silks, gold and silver jewelry, and many specialties of the Tang Dynasty as your dowry.

"When our Tang Dynasty princess gets married, even if we don't care about the scale of the ceremony, it still has to be respectable."

Princess Wencheng smiled brightly upon hearing this: "Sister-in-law, you are so good to me."

You've thought of everything so thoroughly.

"When you arrive in Tibet, you can bring with you some of the advanced things from our Great Tang Dynasty, for example..."

Recently, the prince has been developing a hybrid rice variety that is resistant to high temperatures and drought, and its yield is more than ten times that of current rice varieties.

"What, ten times?"

Princess Wencheng could hardly believe her ears.

"yes."

"Your Majesty is truly remarkable. Not only can you compose poems and lead troops into battle, but you can also invent hybrid rice."

"In addition, there is greenhouse cultivation technology, including the cultivation of cash crops such as strawberries, potatoes and sweet potatoes, with yields that are 10 to 20 times higher than usual, or even more."

"You and your brother are truly remarkable. No wonder I heard that you've recently been reclaiming wasteland south of Chang'an, planting crops and cash crops, and making a lot of money," Princess Wencheng praised.

"Princess, your trip will surely bring blessings to the people of Tibet and bestow good fortune upon them."

in those days,

When Zhang Qian was sent on a mission to the Western Regions, he brought back many plant seeds, such as pomegranate, cucumber, and alfalfa.

It was precisely because of those seeds that the variety of dishes on the tables of the people of Chang'an was so rich, and that our warhorses had an endless supply of fodder.

Our cavalry will then become even more valiant.

Your marriage to Tibet is a momentous event of epoch-making significance.

Princess Wencheng exclaimed with deep emotion, "Sister-in-law, you are truly a person of great vision and broad-mindedness."

I have much to learn from you, and at the same time, I am deeply grateful to you.

"Do we sisters need to say these things?"

"Once Chenggan has finished his business here, I'll send you to Tibet to marry Songtsen Gampo, is that alright?"

"If my royal brother could personally escort me there, that would be best," Princess Wencheng said with a smile. "Where is my royal brother lately?"

When Princess Wencheng asked about Li Chengan, Su Wan sighed and said, "Princess, your brother is not in Chang'an, but in Luoyang."

"Oh, when did he go to Luoyang?"

"Was he sent to Luoyang by the Emperor?" Princess Wencheng was very surprised.

Su Wan then introduced some recent events to Princess Wencheng.

Princess Wencheng was deeply moved after hearing this: "I just stayed at home reading every day and never went out. I really didn't know that so many things had happened."

"So, my brother is in danger."

"It's not just dangerous, it's a matter of life and death."

Princess Wencheng's expression changed slightly: "When I was little..."

Your Highness is the best to me.

He loves me very much.

If anyone bullies me, he will definitely help me beat them up.

What are some good food, drinks, and fun activities?

He would give them to me.

"Just let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

Upon hearing Princess Wencheng's words, Su Wan parted her lips slightly and said, "Do you know? Your father is currently stationed in Luoyang, holding a large army and wielding the power of life and death."

After the Crown Prince arrived in Luoyang,

Li Tai and Fang Yi'ai will probably ask your father to arrest the Crown Prince.

Is that really the case?

"yes."

"Li Tai and the Crown Prince are brothers."

I've also heard that Li Tai has framed the Crown Prince more than once.

I really don't understand.

What exactly were these brothers fighting over?

Su Wan took Princess Wencheng's hand: "Princess, the Crown Prince is just too tolerant and kind-hearted."

Even though Li Tai treated him that way, he didn't hold it against Li Tai and still treated Li Tai as his own brother.

but,

Li Tai, however, was relentless and wouldn't let it go, pressing the matter relentlessly until he was determined to kill the Crown Prince.

Princess Wencheng sighed: "The Crown Prince has it tough. Anyone else would have already retaliated. He values ​​brotherhood more than his own life."

How about this, Songtsen Gampo and I will go to Luoyang together.

He persuaded my father not to make things difficult for the Crown Prince.

Su Wan nodded: "If that's the case, that would be wonderful."

However, you must remember one thing.

Zhang Shigui and his four sons were also in Luoyang.

Zhang Shigui is not someone to be trifled with.

Princess Wencheng's eyes gleamed with resentment: "No matter how great Zhang Shigui is, on my father's small plot of land, doesn't he have to listen to him?"

"That's true, but the key point is that your father is Zhang Shigui's son-in-law."

"Oh, you mean that Miss Zhang, right?"

My mother has been neglected ever since she came to live with my father.

The woman was very charming.

She's completely captivated my father.

Hearing this, Su Wan wanted to laugh but couldn't, and asked, "Princess, where is Songtsen Gampo?"

He is resting at the inn.

"Then I'll go with you to find him."

"That would be perfect."

Princess Wencheng packed her things and then, together with Su Wan, headed to the guesthouse to see Songtsen Gampo.

......

Qin Ying rode a fast horse towards Chang'an City.

By the time he entered Chang'an, it was already dawn.

He just felt incredibly hungry.

He walked a little further and saw a steamed bun shop on the side of the street. Steam was rising from the doorway, and he could smell the aroma of the buns from afar.

He tied his horse to one side and then strode into the steamed bun shop.

He sat down at the table and shouted, "Boss, ten baskets of steamed buns, please!"

Upon hearing this, the shop owner was taken aback and quickly came over to explain, "Sir, how many buns did you want?"

"Ten cages!"

Qin Ying placed her right index finger on top of her left index finger, forming a cross shape.

The shop owner, a middle-aged man, smiled and said, "You're not joking, are you?"

Our steamed buns here are bigger than all the others on the street; one is equivalent to two buns!

and,

Each steamer basket contains 20 buns.

Ten baskets are 200 buns. Can you finish them all?

Qin Ying was displeased when she heard him say that: "Boss, what do you mean by that?"

Are you afraid I won't pay you for the steamed buns?

"You've misunderstood. I didn't mean that at all."

"Do you think I'm a penniless pauper?" Qin Ying asked, pulling out a tael or two of silver from her pocket and placing it on the table. "Is this enough?"

"It's enough, but you don't need so much. I'm just worried you won't be able to finish it and it will go to waste."

"Stop arguing and hurry up and bring the steamed buns, and ten bowls of beef and vermicelli soup too."

Seeing Qin Ying's urging, the shop owner nodded and said, "Alright, just a moment, it'll be ready soon."

really,

A short while later, ten baskets of steamed buns and ten bowls of beef and vermicelli soup were served to Qin Ying.

Qin Ying ladled a bowl of chili sauce, put two spoonfuls into the bowl of beef and vermicelli soup, and started eating with a gusto, baring his teeth.

This time,

Many passersby saw it and came to watch.

Because they had never seen anyone who could eat so much.

Qin Ying didn't care, thinking to herself, "Let them watch, I'll just eat."

He had a bowl of beef and vermicelli soup in his left hand and a basket of steamed buns in his right.

More and more people gathered around, applauding and cheering.

Before long, Qin Ying was sweating profusely from eating, and her complexion became rosy.

The onlookers pointed and whispered among themselves.

however,

To Qin Ying's surprise,

Suddenly, he felt someone gently pat his left shoulder.

Qin Ying involuntarily turned around to look, but saw no one.

Qin Ying was puzzled, wondering who had just been joking with her.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued eating!

In an instant,

He noticed that the onlookers had all run away.

He wondered what was going on.

I've only eaten eight baskets of steamed buns and eight bowls of beef and vermicelli soup, and I'm not even half full yet. What are you all doing running off like this?

suddenly,

He felt an ominous wind behind him, a strong gust of air assaulting his back.

Since her debut, Qin Ying has been through many battles and is very perceptive.

He didn't dare turn around, but instead dodged to the right, then reached out his right hand and scooped up a person's wrist from behind his left shoulder.

Qin Ying slammed the man forward with all his might, sending him flying over his head and throwing him more than ten feet away. His head was about to hit the ground.

With a quick twist of his waist, the man landed headfirst and feetfirst on the ground, steadily and safely.

"Who is it?"

Qin Ying suddenly stood up, staring wide-eyed at the person who appeared in front of him.

It turned out that the man was none other than Ashina Jieshe, carrying a basket on his back containing some bamboo sticks.

Ashina Jieshe's legs were wrapped in gauze, with traces of blood seeping out.

Ashina Jieshe pointed at Qin Ying with his hand:

"See this leg of mine? It's all thanks to you!"

When Qin Ying saw it was him, her eyes turned red, and she cursed, "You damn brat, you're a womanizer, daring to swindle people on the street!"

Today, I'm going to catch you, take you to the authorities, and gouge out your eyes for peeping at Xue'er while she bathes!

"Shut up!" Ashina Jieshe leader shouted angrily.

The two men started fighting right in front of the steamed bun shop.

Ashina Jieshe was determined to kill Qin Ying.

Qin Ying, however, only wanted to capture him, hand him over to the authorities, punish the wicked and promote the good, and avenge Xue'er.

Of course, there was another reason: Ashina Jieshe led several attacks on the crown prince.

It must be said that Ashina Jieshe truly deserves to be called one of the three great assassins.

His lightness skill was first-rate, and his movements were extremely fast.

sometimes,

Qin Ying felt he was about to seize Ashina's influence.

Ashina Jieshe suddenly disappeared.

They might even turn behind Qin Ying.

The two exchanged blows and fought for ten rounds without a clear winner.

To say that Ashina Jieshe's skills surpassed Qin Ying's...

but,

There's a saying: "Evil can't prevail over good, and a guilty conscience needs no accuser."

Qin Ying was a fearless young man, full of righteousness.

In terms of flexibility, Qin Ying cannot compare to Ashina's association rate.

but,

In terms of strength, Qin Ying was superior to Ashina Jieshe.

The owner of the steamed bun shop was also terrified.

He thought he just wanted to do some small business, earn a little money to support his family, but he never expected to get into something like this.

If someone dies in your own steamed bun shop, you could face legal trouble.

He wanted to offer advice but didn't dare to.

at this time,

Ashina Jieshe, in his haste, could not defeat Qin Ying.

Then, he took a bamboo stick from the basket behind him and threw it, aiming straight for Qin Ying's throat.

Qin Ying reacted quickly, kicking the bamboo skewer away.

Qin Ying was furious. He thought to himself, "You Ashina Jieshelu, how dare you try to harm me? Do you think I'm easy to bully?"

I'll show you what's what today.

Thinking of this, Qin Ying used the move "Black Tiger Steals the Heart".

He slapped both palms against Ashina Jieshe's chest.

Just as they were about to start filming, someone unexpectedly attacked Qin Ying from behind.

Qin Ying staggered forward two steps, and when she looked back, she saw that it was He Gan Chengji, one of the three great assassins.

He Gan Chengji stared at Qin Ying: "What, do you want me to do it myself?"

Qin Ying knew He Gan Chengji.

Because Hegan Chengji had a very high reputation in the Tang Dynasty.

It is said that everyone who has seen him has died.

Therefore,

Few people know Hegan Chengji.

"What the hell are you pretending to be in front of this young master for? Others may be afraid of you, but I'm not!"

Qin Ying turned around and started fighting with He Gan Chengji again.

When they started fighting, Qin Ying immediately felt an overwhelming force coming at him.

He Gan Chengji did not draw his sword, because he only wanted to capture him alive.

After about three to five rounds, Qin Ying was struck on the back of the head by the hilt of He Gan Chengji's sword.

Qin Ying immediately fainted.

Ashina Jieshe picked up another bamboo stick: "I'll just kill this brat!"

As he spoke, he raised a bamboo stick to prick Qin Ying.

He Gan Chengji quickly stopped him.

Ashina Jiesheshuai stared wide-eyed and asked, "Why won't you let me kill him?"

"Qin Ying is the grandson of Qin Shubao, the son of the imperial son-in-law Qin Huaiyu, and a favorite of Li Chengqian."

That's quite a background.

We still have a use for him.

"Alright, let's spare his life for now, let him live a couple more days!"

Ashina Jieshe led over the horse that Qin Ying had just been riding, lifted Qin Ying onto its back, and carried it away.

......

The inn of Songtsen Gampo.

After Su Wan and Princess Wencheng arrived here, they searched the place thoroughly, but could not find any trace of Songtsen Gampo.

Just then, Yakushi Eri emerged from her residence and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Crown Princess and Princess."

Su Wan knew that Yakushi Eri was different from Inugami Odenkusa; he was very friendly towards the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengan received his help on several occasions when he was in Naniwa-tsu.

Last time,

Li Chengan met Zhang Shizheng at the Jiangdu Inn.

Zhang Shizheng used his ultimate move, "Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers," which involved using a large net to catch all the flying knives.

otherwise,

Li Chenggan's life is in danger.

therefore,

Su Wan was very grateful to the pharmacist Hui Ri.

"Have you seen Songtsen Gampo?" Su Wan asked.

"He was here last night. We drank together, and then we went to rest separately." Pharmacist Eri scratched his head.

"So, where is he?"

"have no idea."

Su Wan and Princess Wencheng exchanged a glance, both looking very anxious.

Princess Wencheng, in particular, asked, "Last night, when you were drinking together, did you talk about anything?"

The medicine man, Hui Ri, replied, "(Songtsen Gampo) only said that martial law had been declared in Chang'an and that the prince was to be arrested."

Songtsen Gampo was furious about this.

He couldn't understand why the Heavenly Khan would issue such an edict; it was truly incomprehensible.

"Could it be that he went to see the Emperor?"

"I have no idea about that. What do you need him for?" asked Yakushi Eri.

Su Wan then recounted how Li Chengan had arrived in Luoyang.

After hearing this, the pharmacist Hui Ri sighed deeply: "The Emperor should not have issued this imperial edict."

The Crown Prince has rendered great service in our Wa (Japanese) Kingdom.

If the Crown Prince hadn't stopped the unfair agreements between our Wa (Japan) and Goguryeo, Baekje, and Yanqi, what would the outcome be now?

It's hard to say.

Su Wan waved her hand, interrupting him: "It's no use saying those things now. Yakushi Eri, go to the Great Ci'en Temple to find Daozhao and Master Xuanzang."

"Let's go find Songtsen Gampo."

The group split up and took action separately.

Zichen Palace.

Li Shimin sat at his desk reviewing memorials.

Wei Zheng stood by with his hands at his sides.

Undeniably, Li Shimin was also a very diligent emperor.

He had to review numerous memorials and handle many matters every day; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was extremely busy.

Li Shimin looked up at Wei Zheng and asked, "My dear minister, is there something you want to say to me?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng quickly straightened his clothes and said, "Your Majesty, I do have a few words to say."

"Say whatever you want to say."

"Your Majesty seems to be acting a little strange lately."

Li Shimin put down the memorial in his hand and asked with a smile, "Oh, what do you think is wrong with me?"

Firstly,

Your Majesty has ordered a general curfew in Chang'an, allowing entry but not exit.

and,

"Is it true that Chang He was ordered to lead the Imperial Guards to arrest the Crown Prince?"

Li Shimin frowned upon hearing this: "Ah, that's true."

"May I ask why Your Majesty did this?"

Li Shimin then recounted what the ministers, led by Fang Xuanling, had said: "Your Majesty's actions are too arbitrary. Even when the Court of Judicial Review tries a case, it is based on the principle that the other party has a petition and we have a complaint."

At the very least, we should give others a chance to speak. How can Your Majesty listen to only one side of the story?

Did Fang Xuanling go to the Japanese?

Are they telling the truth?

Your Majesty, have you heard what Li Chengqian said?

Has anyone been sent to investigate this matter?

Did Li Chenggan actually subdue the Great King of Sanbe and establish his own army?

If not, wouldn't Your Majesty be wronging an innocent person?

Li Shimin, however, disagreed: "How could Fang Xuanling, as the chief minister, make a mistake?"

How could they possibly wrong the Crown Prince?

"Your Majesty, you are mistaken," Wei Zheng waved his hand.

"So, according to you, you're willing to believe Fang Xuanling but not the Crown Prince?"

Li Shimin paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back: "Empress Zhangsun already discussed this matter with me last night."

"I have already ordered the lifting of martial law in Chang'an and permitted Li Chengqian to return to the Eastern Palace."

"Your Majesty, have you issued any decrees to the surrounding cities?"

For example, Luoyang.

"Not yet," Li Shimin said frankly.

"Your Majesty, this is probably not appropriate. If the people of Chang'an find out..."

Those in Luoyang may not know that His Majesty has already revoked that decree.

Therefore, His Majesty must issue a supplementary decree to the surrounding cities, instructing them not to make things difficult for the Crown Prince.

Furthermore, could we lift the Crown Prince's confinement and grant him his freedom to go wherever he pleases?

otherwise,

Why keep the Crown Prince confined to the Eastern Palace, depriving him of his freedom of movement?

"That won't do. I've already shown leniency by allowing Li Chenggan to return to the Eastern Palace to live and study. Don't push your luck any further."

Wei Zheng sensed from Li Shimin's words that Li Shimin was becoming somewhat impatient.

Li Shimin had a terrible temper, so it was quite good that he made concessions.

Wei Zheng stroked his beard and asked, "So, Your Majesty, the Crown Prince achieved second place in the civil service examination. How do you intend to reward him?"

"What?"

Should I bestow honors upon Li Chenggan?

Although the poem he wrote was quite good

However, it hasn't reached the point where I would applaud it.

"Your Majesty, it is already quite remarkable that the Crown Prince was able to write a poem that is both practical and beautifully written."

It's far better than those empty, meaningless poems that only nitpick over words.

In my humble opinion, he wrote even better than Sima Xiangru.

"What do you mean? Isn't that a bit of an overstatement?"

"Your Majesty, what I said was not excessive."

Sima Xiangru's rhapsodies were exceptionally good, and he was famous throughout the land—this is something everyone can attest to.

but,

Sima Xiangru's fu (a type of classical Chinese prose-poem) also has problems.

He went to great lengths to praise Emperor Wu of Han, and even on his deathbed, Sima Xiangru did not forget to sing his praises.

Your Majesty, please consider this: Sima Xiangru is a man who is about to die. Is it really necessary to do this?

Therefore, it is not an exaggeration for me to say that the Crown Prince's poem is superior to Sima Xiangru's.

"Even if Li Chengqian's poem was quite good and achieved some success, it was thanks to his teachers who taught him, and the credit should go to them, including you."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng quickly waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, that poem was written by the Crown Prince himself and has nothing to do with me, so there is no need for me to thank you."