Don't be a prince

Facing the emperor who almost said the wrong thing, Li Chengqian almost laughed straight away.

After holding it in the palace for so long, I'm afraid he's been suffocated, so much so that now his heart is probably going to take off immediately.

"Father, don't worry, there will be nothing wrong with Duan Ran with the Prime Minister here."

Li Shimin nodded and got on his imperial chariot.

The eldest grandson was also dressed in a splendid attire, and he took Li Chengqian's hand and said, "This time, I will take the Yuzhang pheasant slave with me when I go out this time. You should take good care of the rest of the siblings."

Seeing Li Chengqian nodding, the eldest grandson got on the imperial chariot happily.

This trip, she also persuaded the emperor, but it didn't work.Since you can't stop it, let's enjoy it together.Husband and wife are actually like this, they do good things together, and they also do bad things together.Didn't I say that husband and wife are the same body.

After the emperor got on the imperial chariot, the whole large team began to move slowly.

The emperor's trip was not a rushing army, so naturally he would not rush forward so quickly. Although Qizhou was not far away, it would still not be possible to reach it in less than a month.

Watching the team leave from Mingde Gate, Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief.

grandma's...

Just as he was about to say "I'm free", he saw Li Jian with a smirk on his face.

Yaoshou, parents are gone, and this bastard is still here.

There is no doubt that Li Jian is the emperor's mouthpiece, otherwise, he would not have left in a hurry without explaining anything.

Clearing his throat, Li Chengqian said solemnly: "Li Jian, did Emperor Father say whether the court meeting will be held in the Tai Chi Hall or in the East Palace?"

Li Jianpi smiled and said: "This His Majesty has never said that, let His Majesty decide."

"Then let's go to the Taiji Hall, pass on the prince's teachings, and the ministers who have this performance will go to the Taiji Hall for routine discussions."

After finishing speaking, Li Chengqian turned around and went back to the East Palace to make preparations.

Although the routine court meeting is not as large as the grand court meeting, it is still very important sometimes.

Moreover, every time the emperor comes and plays, it is estimated that it will take three months, three great court meetings!

Go back to the East Palace and change your clothes? Then go to the Tai Chi Hall.

Is it the first time to take the emperor's way to court? Only then did I realize that the preparation process is the same as that of actors backstage.

From the back hall to the front hall, Li Chengqian found that there were no other tables and chairs except the dragon case and dragon chair before walking up the steps.

This is not good, although this position will be my own in the future? But sitting on it now will definitely be unlucky.Judging from the miserable fate of those rebels in history, does Li Shimin attach great importance to his position? Holding this position is like a lame man who is afraid that his beautiful wife will cuckold him.

Sighed? Li Chengqian turned to Li Jian and said, "Go get Gu a simple table and chair!"

Li Jian smiled slightly, clapped his hands, and immediately the eunuch lifted up the table and chairs.

This bastard has long been prepared, and the reason why he took it out now is clearly on purpose!

After a cold snort, Li Chengqian sat down on the newly moved chair and looked down.

It was incredible to see this, it was obviously a routine court meeting, but the hall was packed to the brim, basically the lineup that only the court meeting had, appeared here directly.Even Li Jing, who hadn't been out for a long time, stood in the ranks of generals.

Li Jian's dark voice sounded: "Your Highness, don't be surprised, His Majesty is out of the capital now? The nobles who stay in the capital will all appear in the court at this time? Even sleeping in the court is better than not appearing at all."

Li Chengqian nodded? I understand what's going on.The emperor went out of Beijing? It can be said that Chang'an immediately became empty? These people who would rather sit and show up are showing their hearts: humble ministers dare not rebel...

"Going up~"

Li Jian's voice sounded, and all civil and military officials immediately put on solemn clothes and bowed their hands in salute.

Li Chengqian also got up, and when they all straightened up, they bowed their hands in return.

The Tang Dynasty was not in favor of kneeling and worshiping. Even the officials and the emperor would only kneel and salute at the once-a-month court meeting to show respect.Heaven, earth, king, relatives and teachers, only these five people will use the etiquette of kneeling in front of them.

After returning the gift, Li Chengqian sat down and waited for everyone to sit down before saying: "Father, the emperor visited Qizhou, and mother and queen also went together. Although I was praised for being smart and dealing with political affairs, I was still a fledgling rookie. Because of this, I have to rely more on you dear ministers. Fang Xiang, do you have a book today?"

Fang Xuanling, who was seated at the head of the civil service, immediately stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Your Highness, today the old minister has three things to announce. One is for the exercise of the standing troops, and the other is for the Japanese country to send Tang envoys to the Tang Dynasty again. Third, it is the arrival of the Tubo envoys in Chang'an."

"For the drill of the standing force, I remember that the emperor has already given instructions, so why repeat?"

Du Ruhui is not here, and Zhao Zian, the left servant, is representing the Ministry of War now.

Zhao Zian stood up and said: "Your Highness, although His Majesty's instructions have been passed, the local governor wrote back to ask the court to come up with a charter. It's really ridiculous. The drill of the local military force is the duty of the governor. These people don't even know how to perform it." Do you want the court to teach? I feel that I should issue an order to reprimand!"

Is this a reprimand?

Li Chengqian said helplessly: "Zhao Aiqing's words were a bit impatient. Now the method of military training led by the crown prince has been extended to the whole country. The governors from all over the country stay behind and don't understand this new method of military training. It is normal that a charter is needed. Back then the crown prince led the generals personally. Yu Tai, wasn't he reprimanded by Gu for injuring some soldiers because of excessive training?

It's a good thing to want the charter, which means that the place still has something to eat.Zhao Zian, you retreat immediately and go to the East Palace to find Yu Tai, for training, as long as you know the upper limit.For the soldiers trained in the local area, the nutritional supplements are not as good as the prince's proficiency, so it is better to discount the training intensity in half.Weigong, what do you think? "

Seeing that the crown prince called him, Li Jing, who was about to take a nap, quickly stood up and said, "Your Highness, the [-]% discount can only be used as an upper limit, not as a standard. In many places, the people who need to be trained are government soldiers, and they still need to work in agriculture after training." , Therefore, it should be lowered again. The specifics should be left to the local authorities to decide.”

Li Chengqian nodded, then looked at Zhao Zian: "Did you hear that? Just do what Gu and Weigong said."

Although he was puzzled by his majestic Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War, why he had to do this kind of thing himself, but he had to do it immediately, but the crown prince gave the order, and Zhao Zian could only set off immediately.

After Fang Xuanling and Li Jing sat down, Tang Jian stood up and said, "Your Highness, the envoys from the Japanese Kingdom came to Datang again, led by Inugami Mitian. This time, the tribute they brought was more abundant, and what they asked for was nothing more than After living in Datang for a few years, Weichen felt that it was no big deal, as long as he agreed."

"agree?"

Li Chengqian patted the table and said, "Why do you agree? As envoys, allowing them to stay in the Tang Dynasty for a few months is already extrajudicial. How many years? How is it possible? Tang Jian, you are not accepting Japanese envoys." It’s just that you can help them speak like this!”

Although Honglu Temple accepted the red envelopes from the envoys was known to everyone, but such a remark at this time was already a heart-breaking statement.

Tang Jian quickly bent down and cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, although Tang Jian accepted bribes from the Japanese, this is a common practice, and what he said did not mean to favor the envoys of the Japanese country. Your Highness, learn from me!"

Seeing that Tang Jian was held accountable, Fang Xuanling stood up and said, "Your Highness, it is really a custom for Honglu Temple to accept bribes from envoys. Eighty to ninety percent of what Tang Jian received must be turned over to the treasury. The envoys brought a large amount of silver, although the refinement was not in place, but the Ministry of Industry can still enrich the treasury after refining it again, the Japanese envoys are so obedient, what they want is to stay for a while, it is not a big deal."

"Ju Gong, Fang Xiang, this is not a question of being obedient or not. The communication between countries is actually the same as the communication between neighbors. It is okay to brag together and help each other, but when it comes to interests, absolutely No compromise. Datang is a superior country to Wa, and there are too many good things that they covet. When we gave them, we only saw short-term benefits, but did not see future disasters.

Small country?Gu feels that as long as it is a country, they should not be underestimated just because they are small. "Xunzi Wangba" states that the five hegemons in the Spring and Autumn Period are: Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Wen of Jin, King Zhuang of Chu, King Helu of Wu, King Goujian of Yue, what about Qin?The seven heroes of the Warring States Period competed side by side in the Central Plains. Who would have thought that it would be Qin who would eventually destroy the six kingdoms and complete the great unification?Don't despise the country because it is small, and don't be complacent because the country is big. This is the truth that I have learned from the history of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

Because of this, we cannot be proud and complacent because of our status as "Shang Guo".

The good things of our family can be put on the shelf or thrown into the stinky ditch to rot, but they can't be given to outsiders.Ladies and gentlemen, do you think Gu is right? "

This....

Although it makes sense, it's a bit too radical. Shangguo doesn't have the bearing of Shangguo, how can he always be petty?

Unlike the silent civil servants, the generals applauded loudly, and even their perseverance and thinking power were among the applause.

Now he no longer feels inferior because of his status as a general, because the emperor once patted him on the shoulder and said that he was a member of Datang.

"Since that's the case, order Honglu Temple to monitor every move of the Japanese envoys, and not allow them to absorb the essence of the Tang Dynasty everywhere, especially those involving military aircraft. As long as they show any intention of probing, they will be executed!"

Tang Jian said helplessly: "I understand, it's just that the purpose of the Tubo envoys coming this time is not to study, but to attach the country. Moreover, the leader of the team is the Prime Minister of Tubo, who has a noble status. I feel like I can’t slack off.”

Prime Minister of Tubo?Li Chengqian thought for a long time before he thought of the name "Ludongzan".Just as he had guessed before, Tubo really took action against the attached country.It's just that, in the same plateau area, whether the affiliated country is dead or alive, the impact on Datang is really difficult to judge.

"We'll discuss this matter later. Duke Wei, Duke Ying, Duke Zheng, Duke Ju, and Prime Minister Fang stay here. Do the other lovers still have this note?"

The officials looked at each other in blank dismay, but after all, no one stood up.After all, this is just a routine court meeting, and it is already great to have something to discuss.

After asking again and still no one was there, Li Chengqian looked at Li Jian.

"Back to court~"

With Li Jian's words, Li Chengqian's first court meeting ended.

The civil and military officials began to exit in an orderly manner under the command of Shi Yushi, while several people whose names were called by Li Chengqian waited in front of the hall.

Li Chengqian did not go to the apse, but left through the main hall gate after all the officials left.

"Several, let's go to the East Palace to talk about the matter of the affiliated country. When we see the meal, we can chat while eating."

As for the prince's invitation, they were naturally happy to agree.

Chang'an in June is still very hot, the weather is hot, no matter how delicious the dishes are, I don't have the heart to taste them.

One serving of cold noodles and a few pickles and cold dishes are much better than big fish and meat.

Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng were used to it, and they would add their favorite cold dishes directly into bowls and eat them with noodles.In comparison, Li Ji, Li Jing, and Tang Jian are somewhat restrained.

The wine and sour plum soup chilled in well water are definitely good things to beat the summer heat.

After drinking a cup of sour plum soup, Li Chengqian said: "The attached country is not considered a small country. It is really not up to the people to stop Tubo from mobilizing troops. What do you guys think? Say it."

Naturally, Fang Xuanling was the first to speak, took a sip of the wine beautifully, and then said: "The place where the country is attached to, the veteran has also seen it. The terrain is not much different from Tubo, and it is adjacent to the Tang Dynasty, so it can be called Tubo. Invaded the buffer zone of the Tang Dynasty. Now Songtsan Gampo on the plateau wants to completely unify the plateau, and the attached country must be taken down. It stands to reason that what the enemy wants to do must be stopped. The old minister feels that threatening Tubo will not It’s better to take action against the affiliated country.”

After Fang Xuanling finished speaking, Tang Jian and others had a chance to speak.

Tang Jian didn't have time to swallow the noodles in his mouth and said: "Your Highness, although Tubo's folk customs are tough, Qi Zanpu is still very respectful to the Central Plains. During the time when Tubo's prime minister arrived in Chang'an, he did not show any signs of arrogance. What's more, Weichen found out from him that Tubo Zanpu intends to marry us. Tubo is located on a plateau, and our soldiers will not have enough strength to attack them, so they will always suffer. If such an enemy can become Allies are still very beneficial. Although Songzhou is often harassed by the Tubo people, it is the tribes on the frontier who make their own claims. Now that most of the plateau is unified, is there such a thing? So Wei Chen's proposal is to agree. "

Li Ji glanced at Tang Jian before saying: "Old Tang, this is your fault. How can you agree to the Tubo people? Songzhou has been a commercial distribution center in Longyou and other places in central Shu since ancient times. Known as an important town, an important frontier town, and a strategic hub, it is the place where our Tang Dynasty fought the worst battles. If Han Wei, the guard who fought against the Tubo people there, knew about it, he would wipe his neck.

In the second year of Zhenguan, the governor Han Wei Qingqi stalked the thieves and was defeated by himself. Some Qiang chieftains saw the wind and turned their backs. The governors of Kuozhou and Nuozhou surrendered.But later, Han Wei insisted on resisting in Songzhou and defended the city gate.This matter was not fully disclosed, just for the sake of Datang's face.It's not good for a powerful enemy like Tubo to be their neighbors! "

Li Jing also nodded and said: "Maogong is right. Once the subordinate state is destroyed, our Tang Dynasty will have many places bordering Tubo. Don't look at Tubo's fear of our Tang Dynasty, but from his treatment of neighboring small countries, even Tuyuhun. Judging from his attitude, Zanpu of Tubo also has the ambition to annex the world!"

Wei Zheng didn't say anything, he felt that he was simply called by the prince to have dinner today.When it comes to foreign affairs, the military, Fang Xuanling and others have the right to speak, but I am the only one who knows nothing about it.

Seeing the "vote" of "Three Antis and One Approval", Li Chengqian knew that Datang absolutely could not stand idly by in the matter of Tubo's attack on the attached state.

"Since that's the case, let's meet this Tubo Prime Minister alone later, Duke Ju, I will trouble you to lead the way later."

Tang Jian cupped his hands before continuing to eat.He knew that this time, the plan of the Prime Minister of Tubo was going to go bankrupt, and the prince obviously wanted to prevent this from happening.

As for whether it will affect the marriage, it is not something he can guess.

After a meal, Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng returned to their official offices. The emperor left this time simply and did not even order the court to send the memorial to Qizhou. In this way, they had to fight even more when dealing with government affairs Twelve points of vigilance will do.

But Li Ji and Li Jing continued to be homeboys at home.

Nowadays, the military power of the army is firmly held by the emperor in his own hands. In the past, the situation where a general influenced a guard has disappeared. Usually, only the military commander is the person who really has military power. If the general wants to regain the command power, he needs Only when the war happens.Other than that, they can only hide in the house, and even avoid communication between nobles as much as possible.After all, what the emperor did was too obvious. He just wanted absolute centralization to prevent his own affairs from recurring.If you don't want to rebel, you can only accept it.

Tang Jian ate so much that he walked a little slowly.

"Your Highness, the great chancellor of Tubo is named Lu Dongzan. During this period of communication, I found that this person really deserves to be the prime minister of Tubo. His knowledge and thoughtfulness are not comparable to those of the envoys of those small countries."

Li Chengqian nodded, and became more curious about Lu Dongzan.A guy who can successfully marry two hostile countries must have wisdom and means.

The guest house of Honglu Temple was still overcrowded.

In fact, there is always an endless stream of envoys from various countries, and each wave will live in Chang'an for a long time before returning.In fact, these people are all blatant spies living in Datang. They come here one after another with the idea of ​​monitoring Datang and being ready to report to the motherland at any time.

But these people will definitely not be able to do what they want, because the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty is very strict, especially when fighting abroad, the news will not be revealed outside the court at all.No one dared to do such things as leaking news. If they were not caught, it would really kill the nine clans, and no one would think that the emperor was cruel.It is not an exaggeration to execute someone even if he has an affair with a foreign enemy!

Just outside one of the high-class guest houses in Honglu Temple, Li Chengqian saw a group of Tubo soldiers~

Chapter 254 The Difficulty of Being an Emperor

How should I put it, although it is said that Hu people are the most coquettish, but most Hu merchants still take a bath after arriving in Datang, a place where there is no shortage of water.But the Tibetans here are really sloppy, their woolen robes are full of stains.

Judging from the performance of the Korean envoy next door, who is known as an elegant person, they really can't stand such a neighbor.

"That's it, Your Highness, the Tibetan people are so unhygienic, but I have seen dirtier ones. In some places, people are most taboo to take a bath. There is a monk from Tianzhu who can cultivate the land on his body. I heard it is What kind of ascetic monk's way of cultivation is really speechless."

"The barbarians always have strange shapes, but this kind of thing is always relative. Maybe in their eyes, it's an affectation for us Tang people to love cleanliness so much."

Tang Jian arched his hands to show that he was taught, and then went in to report.The prince came here suddenly today, he hadn't beat the Tubo people in advance, so as not to disturb the prince.

After a while, Tang Jian came out with a tall Tubo man. This man's face was reddish unique to the plateau. What was surprising was that he was not wearing a sheepskin robe, but the clothes of the Central Plains. Kind of like a scholar.

This should be Lu Dong's praise!Smiling slightly, Li Chengqian began to think about how to communicate with him.

Lu Dongzan said something in Tubo, and the Tubo guards outside the house were all disarmed, and then squatted obediently in the corner.

This must be done to welcome the prince, otherwise it will be considered disrespectful.Moreover, only a few of the envoys of the large contingent can live in the guest house of Honglu Temple, and the others must be arranged outside Chang'an City and be guarded by local officials.All 2000 people like Feng An can live in Chang'an, which is the emperor's absolute peace of mind.

"Young Minister of Tubo, Lu Dongzan, met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Tang Kingdom!"

Lu Dongzan did not have the arrogance of envoys from Korea and other countries, but was very respectful. He also deliberately changed his title from "Great Minister" to "Little Minister".

Glancing at the envoys of Goryeo and Wa next to him, Li Chengqian understood why a barbaric race like Tubo could become one of the few countries in this land that could make the Tang Dynasty cautious with its own power.Are they barbaric? But when you are barbaric, you still don't lack wisdom, so you are powerful.

Nodding? Li Chengqian also bowed back: "Your Excellency is very polite, today's sudden interruption? I hope the Prime Minister will not mind."

Lu Dongzan smiled and said, "It's our honor to be able to visit His Royal Highness. I heard that His Majesty the Emperor Tang left Chang'an today, and now Chang'an is His Highness's principal. I wonder if Your Highness can allow me to visit the court meeting of the Tang Dynasty? Although Tubo is very It is about to be completely unified, but there are still many things that need to be improved in the ruling system. It is our honor to learn the system of the Tang Dynasty."

Learn our system?

Immediately in Li Chengqian's mind, the image of those tribal chiefs or patriarchs? Gritting their teeth and kneeling in Songtsan Gampo's big tent.

Maybe, yes?

"Since the Prime Minister wants to study, he can go to court tomorrow. The Minister of Rites did not go out of Beijing with his father. I will order the Minister of Rites to communicate with the Prime Minister."

Hearing this? Lu Dongzan laughed immediately, bowed his body and stopped Yankee.