Don't be a prince

However, the smile on his face disappeared completely when he saw the Yellow Earth Road and the imperial chariot.

Arching his hands, Feng An anxiously said: "Your Highness, this is His Majesty's imperial chariot, how can I ride it, it's not right, it's only ten miles to Chang'an, so just continue riding."

Feng An was tall and strong, and Li Chengqian couldn't move him at all.

Seeing his insistence, Li Chengqian ordered the imperial chariot to go first, and called his prince's chariot over and said, "Since Mr. Feng refuses to ride in the imperial chariot, it's okay to invite you to ride with me."

Only then did Feng An nod, sitting alone on the imperial chariot is flattery, if he really enters Chang'an with it, it will not only shorten his own lifespan.But being invited by the prince to take a ride together is different, and it is not considered a transgression.

After getting into the carriage, Li Chengqian kicked Zhang Yun out and poured Feng An a cup of tea himself.

After taking a sip of tea, Feng Ang said strangely: "There are also tea leaves in Lingnan, but the taste is quite different from this cup. Weichen has also been to the Central Plains before, and the tea soup in the Central Plains does not have such a taste!"

Li Chengqian smiled and said: "Tea soup is made by crushing tea leaves, adding seasonings and so on, but this tea is processed and dried, and then brewed. Only the East Palace has it. If Mr. Feng likes it, he can leave." It’s time to bring some.”

Feng An nodded, cupped his hands and thanked the prince for his reminder.

The belt must be brought, and it will definitely not be a few catties.Moreover, through these words, he also understood that his trip to Chang'an should be quite safe.

The distance of ten miles is not long or short.

Just after Feng An talked about some difficulties during the journey, the team had already arrived in Chang'an.

In today's Chang'an, there are no people on Zhuque Street at all, and the nearby markets are all closed.The carriage went straight to Suzaku Gate without hindrance, and then stopped.

As soon as he got off the carriage, he saw the emperor waiting at the door.

Feng An hurriedly knelt down on one knee: "The crown prince and all the officials went out of the city to greet him, and His Majesty came out of the palace gate to greet him in person. How could Feng An be able to receive such preferential treatment!"

Li Shimin didn't ask the eunuch to search Feng An's body, but came over to help him himself.

"Aiqing is for the unification of the Tang Dynasty, and she does not hesitate to dismiss those who advocate the founding of the country. I am very pleased. With the Feng family in Lingnan, the court will have no worries!"

After speaking, the emperor took Feng An's arm and walked into the imperial city.Feng An turned his head and waved his hand, leaving a dozen generals to stay outside the door.As for the personal guards brought by Feng An, officials from the Ministry of Rituals arranged their own accommodation.

Naturally, Li Chengqian also followed, not only him, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, Changsun Wuji also followed closely.

There will be a series of performances next, and they, as important ministers, naturally have to watch.

In the Taiji Hall, the emperor did not sit on the throne, but prepared a small case with a square decoration, and everyone sat around.

The officials of Secretary Cheng also sat on both sides of the book, writing vigorously. They had to write down today's memorabilia clearly. Whether it was daily notes or history writing, today's memoir was extremely important.

"Feng Qing, since you are from Lingnan, you naturally know Lingnan. Tell me, how should the imperial court treat Lingnan?"

Feng An didn't expect the emperor to ask such a question as soon as he came up. Although Lingnan is now under the control of the Tang Dynasty, it is only a formality. It is their local families who really rule Lingnan.

It is understandable that the emperor wants to control Lingnan, but it is not that easy!

Feng Ang thought for a long time before saying, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Lingnan has been populated since the Qin Dynasty. At the end of Qin Dynasty, Zhao Tuo was able to establish himself as king because Lingnan lacked connection with the Central Plains, and water and land routes were difficult.

Today, although the Feng family is the uncrowned king of Lingnan, they can only form a balance with the rest of the forces.If the imperial court settles in Lingnan, it will inevitably attract counterattacks from all the families. Although the Feng family is powerful, Lingnan is not the Feng family's monopoly.

Along the way, the minister also thought about what to do, but there was no way.Although Lingnan does not reject attachment to the Tang Dynasty, it is difficult to completely bring it under the jurisdiction! "

Li Shimin couldn't help but nodded to Feng An's words.

His answer was similar to Baiqisi's investigation. Although the Feng family in Lingnan is the largest, there are countless small families remaining.They are unwilling to give up their status as rulers. Although they are willing to obey the Feng family's arrangement and submit to Datang, they will explode if Datang threatens their status.

In the final analysis, it is still a question of interests.Most Lingnan people are immigrants from the Qin and Han Dynasties, and they are regarded as their own family in the Central Plains.If weapons are used, not to mention the loss, it will also be detrimental to the reputation of the court.

After all, people are obedient, right?

After thinking for a while, Li Shimin said: "Feng Qing, how about I send officials to settle in Lingnan?"

"Officials bear the emperor's orders, so their lives are naturally safe, but if they want to gain power, it is even more difficult."

Regarding the chaotic situation in Lingnan, Feng An had no intention of hiding anything.The current Lingnan is difficult for Datang to deal with.Control, can't control, fight, and there is no excuse to do it.

Seeing the constipated expressions of the monarchs and ministers of the Tang Dynasty, Li Chengqian couldn't help but said: "Father, I have a suggestion, I don't know if I should say it or not."

Li Chengqian's words immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Changsun Wuji frowned and said: "Nonsense, this is right, how can you talk nonsense!"

Knowing that Changsun Wuji was defending the crown prince, Li Shimin could only say: "It's okay, crown prince, if you have any idea, just say it, and I will just laugh it off if I make a mistake."

Li Chengqian nodded, cupped his hands and said to Feng An: "Mr. Feng, Lingnan is near the sea. Is the sea transport developed?"

"It's not developed. Although there are maritime merchants who go to sea desperately, they can't go as far as Chenla Linyi. More Western maritime merchants settle in Lingnan, but they will eventually go ashore in Yangzhou."

Li Chengqian nodded, and then said: "Actually, sea transportation is the most suitable way of development for Lingnan. People in Lingnan can't go far because they lack experience. Donggong intends to build a fleet in Lingnan to seek profit from the sea. If the Lingnan families If you want, you can follow!"

Hearing this passage, everyone was a little puzzled for a while.What kind of method is this?

Wei Zheng said solemnly: "Your Highness, do you know that this is the right place, don't talk nonsense?"

Li Chengqian said strangely: "I'm not talking nonsense. As long as the sea transportation is developed, Lingnan can quickly develop into a port no less than Yangzhou. A large amount of goods landed, and there is always a place to sell them. I feel that the Central Plains is a seller." Good place."

Having said that, Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, and the emperor have already reacted.

The reason why Lingnan people refuse the control of the Central Plains is that they are unwilling to give up their power of one-third of an acre of land.If you want to connect with Lingnan, money is the most irresistible medium.

As long as the Tujia people in Lingnan taste the deliciousness of money, they will unknowingly let go of their hostility towards the Central Plains people.Coastal places such as Gaozhou happen to be the old nest of the Feng family, and with the Feng family as its foundation, it can always slowly erode in.

"Okay, since Donggong is willing to pay for the construction of the fleet, I won't ask so many questions, the prince will settle it by himself."

Fang Xuanling also said: "Since Your Highness has a charter, I will not say much."

On the contrary, Changsun Wuji was very down-to-earth, and said with a smile: "Since you want to form a fleet, you might as well take along the old man, and the old man will also get a share!"

Wei Zheng and Feng An couldn't figure out what the prince said, how could it be a solution, even Du Ruhui couldn't figure it out for a while.

If you don't understand it, if you don't understand it, since the emperor, Fang Xuanling, and Changsun Wuji understood and agreed, it means that the crown prince is really not messing around.

As for Feng An, he was naturally happy that the prince helped Lingnan develop financial resources.With his eyes, he naturally saw the potential of Lingnan, but he didn't establish contact with the Central Plains, so what if he went to sea?As long as the Central Plains blocks Lingnan's goods, no matter how valuable things are, they will only rot in Lingnan.

This time he risked his life to enter Chang'an, hoping to establish a connection between Lingnan and the Central Plains. Now it seems that his goal has been achieved!

Conspiracies and tricks only need to be mentioned at the beginning. No matter whether the monarchs and ministers understand it or not, they will never mention it again, but continue to ask Feng An about the customs and customs of Lingnan.

The performance lasted from noon to the afternoon. Seeing that it was getting darker and darker, Li Shimin ordered Li Chengqian to prepare the dinner.

The cook of the Eastern Palace had been notified long ago and had already made preparations in the Imperial Dining Room.

A dining car filled with boiling hot water, with dishes steaming on it, and then covered with a lid, can ensure that the short distance from the imperial dining room to the palace will not become cold.

The play continued until the moon came out, and the banquet officially started.

Naturally, there would be no such thing as a large round table in the Taiji Hall, and each person would have one serving of dishes, filling the table to the brim.

Sweet and sour pork ribs, pork knuckle in sauce, braised fish, braised pork with preserved vegetables, pickled sour bamboo shoots, alfalfa eggs.....

Feng An admired the richness of the dishes, and only after he put down his chopsticks did he start to be full of praise.Fang Xuanling and the others looked at the dishes on the case anxiously, knowing that they couldn't eat all of them, so they could only order the eunuch to prepare food boxes for them early.

Needless to say, these dishes must be produced by the East Palace. If it was an ordinary banquet, they would not shamelessly pack them away.

Compared with Wei Zheng and the others, Feng An must be able to eat more, a pork knuckle, he eats a bone in a few big bites.As for the emperor's favorite fried small meatballs, he was very dissatisfied and suggested that Li Chengqian should make them into big meatballs anyway.

Alcohol is of course to be drunk, let go of the emperor in Lingnan who is in such a serious trouble, he has never drank before, and now is what he is waiting for.

Toasting a glass from a distance, Feng An drained it in a very bold gulp, but is this how to drink high-grade wine?Coughing again and again from being choked, and praising the good wine loudly, I hope the prince will give me some more, so that I can take it with me when I return to Lingnan.

Li Shimin didn't care, and asked Li Chengqian to give more.

The more Feng An was out of sight, the happier Li Shimin was.If there was no Feng family in Lingnan, there would inevitably be a dispute no less than the battle of Luoyang.

As for the future, the cooperation of the Feng family is also needed for the imperial court to take Lingnan into its hands.

Chapter 2 Thirty

There will naturally be singing and dancing at the banquet. For some reason, people in the Tang Dynasty liked the music of the Western Regions very much, especially the music of Kucha, which was regarded as a classic.

The squeaking Kucha music paired with the soft dance of the dancers will only make people drowsy.

After killing the last trace of fish meat on the fish bones, Feng An roared and jumped into the dance hall, the startled dancers hurried away.

Li Shimin laughed loudly, took off his outer robe, and rushed into the arena.

Seeing the emperor entered the arena, the musicians became more and more excited, and several of them broke their notes.

Fang Xuanling applauded and laughed, and Changsun Wuji also entered the arena shaking his arms.

After taking a sip of the wine, Li Chengqian was helpless. The dance ability of these people was worrying. They said that they danced, and it looked like a bodybuilding champion showing off his muscles.Or, just beating your chest like a gorilla.What is this dance called?What's more, it's easy to get drunk if you drink strong alcohol. Now the legs of the three players in the field are weak.

At this time, the fight is about who can persevere to the end. Seeing Changsun Wuji fell to the ground in a daze, and vomited, Wei Zheng quickly pulled Li Chengqian and said, "Go in quickly, this is a dance fight, your majesty can't lose, I'm waiting for you!" Courtier, you can't join in the middle, you are the prince, and it's only right and proper to help Lao Tzu!"

Taking a look at Wei Zheng's flushed cheeks, Li Chengqian knew that this one was also drunk.

There was no other way, Li Chengqian could only put down his cup, took off his outer robe, and entered the venue.

It's not that he didn't learn dance in the later generations. Although his own attainments in hip-hop dance are only those two, it's different here.

Li Shimin drank Feng An's enthusiasm for fighting and dancing, and both of them were sweating profusely. No one cared about the prince's joining, but when they saw the prince's dance inadvertently, both of them were stunned.

Until Li Chengqian finished with a moonwalk, neither of them jumped again.

"What kind of dance is this? Especially the last part, why does it look like a ghost?"

Li Chengqian was speechless, it was just a moonwalk, why did he look like a ghost?

"Father, this is a dance step that I have developed by myself, which can make people become elegant. If you want to learn it, I can teach you."

Learn to dance with your son?Li Shimin shook his head again and again, he still wanted an old face.

Feng An arched his hands and said: "His Royal Highness's dance is much more beautiful than Weichen's waist. I heard that His Highness is now the vice president of Zhenguan College, and dog Zi Zhidai is also studying in the college. Can I watch it?"

Li Chengqian said with a smile: "Of course, and the college has just finished the autumn exam and will hold a parent meeting. At that time, you can also enter as a parent. Feng Zhidai's grades in the noble class are also good, although the total score is not as good as Chang Sun Chong, but he is number one in every subject."

Feng An was even happier when he mentioned his son.

He originally thought that it would be great if Feng Zhidai could live a stable life in Chang'an. Who would have thought that this child would instead enter the Zhenguan Academy and still study hard. This child is the most successful in the family. It made it impossible for him to pass on the position of Patriarch easily.It's all right now, not only is there the matter of entering the court as a pledge, but also the knowledge gained in Zhenguan College. When this child returns to Lingnan, he will be the heir of the Feng family.

Feng An, who was in a good mood, drank his glass to the brim, and toasted the emperor frequently and impolitely.Li Shimin didn't refuse, as long as it was Feng Angjing's wine, he would definitely drink it.It didn't take long for the two of them to be completely drunk.

According to the emperor's order, Feng An was arranged to sleep in the Lizheng Hall. Being able to spend the night in the imperial palace, especially in the harem, no matter who was being entertained, was an extreme favor.

The half-drunk Changsun Wuji and others also walked home in the dark, only Wei Zheng stayed behind and walked with Li Chengqian.

Walking in the imperial city, Li Chengqian couldn't help but said to Wei Zheng: "Doctor Wei, the East Palace is not as good as it used to be. If you want to stay overnight in the East Palace, it's no longer possible. In a few days, the East Palace will have a prince and side concubine staying, let alone You, old Mr. Li Gang can't live in, this is the rule."

Wei Zheng patted Li Chengqian consciously and said: "Who said that this old man is going to live in the East Palace. I drank too much today, so I went for a stroll, let off the smell of alcohol, and then went home. If you don't talk about this, go slowly." At this point, the old man would like to ask you, what do you think of Feng An?"

Knowing that this old guy just wanted to say something, Li Chengqian simply slowed down his pace and said, "What do you think of Feng An? I think Feng An is a hero, and it is for Datang. Not to mention It is said that the Feng family has guarded Lingnan for generations and has made great achievements, even if he gave up self-reliance and devoted himself to it, it is also commendable."

Wei Zheng chuckled: "Don't you think he looks like a softie? The imperial court has persecuted him so much, but he still accepts it, and he only wants to incorporate Lingnan into the imperial court. I have heard many people say that Feng An gave up his self-reliance. King, it is simply stupid. It is even more stupid to go to Beijing to make a pilgrimage in person.”

Li Chengqian glanced at Wei Zheng strangely and said, "What do you mean by that? From my point of view, Feng An's actions are much more courageous than establishing himself as a king. After all, he is betting on his own reputation and bears the burden. The ridicule of those so-called "courageous people" has brought about the stability of the Central Plains and Lingnan, and I don't know how many people died less."

Seeing what Li Chengqian said, Wei Zheng laughed out loud.

During this period of time, he had indeed heard many people comment on Feng An as a coward, so he really wanted to know what the crown prince thought of him.This is very good, the emperor who is drunk now probably thinks that Feng An chose to submit because of his brilliant heavenly power.

When he reached the gate of the East Palace, Wei Zheng said his goodbyes and left. He got a good answer from the prince today, and he probably can sleep well tonight.

Early the next morning, the emperor's will was announced to the Quartet.

Feng An's title of Duke of Geng remained the same, and the positions of governors of Shangzhu and Gaozhou also remained unchanged. In the early years of Zhenguan, Feng Zhidai's positions as governor of Chunzhou and Feng Zhiyu as governor of Donghezhou were abolished, but they are now restored.The most important thing is that the emperor gave Feng An a lot of rewards, and the carriages were sent to Changxingfang where Feng An stayed, attracting the constant attention of passers-by.

Not only the emperor gave rewards, but many nobles also took the opportunity to send many gifts to Feng An.The meaning of the emperor is obvious, that is, the status of the Feng family will not be reduced, but will only be strengthened.Although Feng's family is in Lingnan, this does not prevent them from making friends.

After holding a banquet to thank all the nobles, Feng An brought more than a dozen personal guards and followed the prince to the academy.

"Feng Gong, I heard that your archery is unparalleled in the world. If you have time, you must give me some pointers!"

The emperor was very busy, so it fell to Li Chengqian to entertain Feng An.

Now that he took over the job of entertaining, how could Li Chengqian let this archery master go.

Hearing what the crown prince said, Feng An cupped his hands repeatedly: "His Royal Highness, it's absurd, the old man's archery skills are only mediocre, but if His Highness wants to learn, the old man will naturally teach me everything!"

When the carriage arrived at the shooting range, Li Chengqian asked the convoy to stop first.

Jumping off the carriage, Feng An took the bow and arrow handed over by the guard, and shot with his bow.

You know, everyone is still in the driveway at this time, which is the nearest target in the shooting range, and it is nearly 150 steps away.

The strings were like thunder, and the arrows were like thunder. Although it was quite far away, Li Chengqian saw an arrow stably hit the red dot of the bull's-eye, and it missed half of it.

This move, not to mention Li Chengqian, even Fang Shuo gasped.

His archery skills can be said to be very good, but compared with Feng An's, it is still far behind.If it were him to shoot the arrow, he might have to aim for a long time before he dared to shoot, but Feng An didn't hesitate at all, he almost shot with the bow.

Unconvinced, Li Chengqian cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Feng's archery skills are really amazing!"