Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5228: Receiving the wind and washing away the dust
Liu Ji didn't quite understand why Li Ji would support the navy's attack on Lin Yi Kingdom at this time.

After the stroke of genius that was "popular election," the entire Tang military's plan to gain military merit through war was completely shattered. Fortunately, the navy could not wage war and seize military merit overseas. The various factions in the military were in a delicate balance. Even the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era who were unwilling had to accept it.

But now war is about to break out in Linyi. The outcome is not a question. A great victory for the navy is to be expected. This will create a large number of military achievements.

The meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era have already been suppressed by the navy. If the navy is allowed to conquer and destroy the country, wouldn't the gap between them become even larger?
……

Li Chengqian looked around and made the final decision: "Then let's start the war! But warn Su Dingfang that speed is of the essence in war, and you must concentrate your forces to annihilate the disloyal one fell swoop. You must not allow the war to escalate or have far-reaching consequences."

"Here!"

The ministers accepted the order without further objection.

Immediately afterwards, the edict, drafted by the Grand Council and stamped with His Majesty's imperial seal, was sent by express courier to Huating Town, and then by sea to reach Su Dingfang, who was stationed in Da Nang at the time...

*****
At noon, the meeting ended. Li Chengqian wanted to invite them to stay for lunch, but the ministers were busy with government affairs and had accumulated a lot of official business to deal with after spending the morning in the Hall of State Affairs. So they all got up, declined, and took their leave to return to their respective offices.

Li Chengqian thought Fang Jun should be fine, so he asked the eunuch to keep him for a meal.

Unexpectedly, the eunuch said, "The Grand Commandant had just left the Hall of State Affairs when he was called away by a maidservant from Prince Jinyang who was waiting outside the door. She said that His Highness had prepared a banquet to welcome the Grand Commandant."

Li Chengqian: "..."

Feeling depressed and very dissatisfied.

This scoundrel is utterly lawless! He dragged an official from outside the palace directly to his bedchamber. What kind of decorum is this?
Fortunately, the eunuch added, "I think the Empress and Princess Chang Le are both here."

"Ah."

Li Chengqian hummed in agreement and ignored him.

……

Inside Shujing Palace, Princess Changle stood at the door to welcome Fang Jun in. She gently and considerately changed his shoes. Seeing that Fang Jun looked travel-worn and tired, she felt a little sorry for him. She smiled gently and said, "The banquet has been prepared. Go take a bath and change your clothes before you eat."

Fang Jun, of course, did not stand on ceremony. He walked into the hall, first bowed to the Empress, and then took his son, Lu'er, from Princess Jinyang's arms.

The little one was fair-skinned and smelled of milk. He couldn't speak yet, but he stretched out his two little hands to tug at Fang Jun's short mustache. Fang Jun deliberately lowered his head and used his stubble to prick the child's little hands, making Lu'er giggle.

Princess Jinyang wanted to take the child: "Brother-in-law, give me the deer, you go and take a bath first."

Fang Jun waved his hand and hugged the child tightly: "It's alright, I'll take him with me to bathe."

Then, carrying the child, she went to the inner hall, led by a maid...

Princess Chang Le quickly instructed her maid, "Go and serve her!"

"Here!"

Several maids blushed, lowered their heads, and followed with light steps.

As Princess Chang Le's personal maid, her status was equivalent to that of a "chamber maid," so there were no restrictions on the relationship between men and women...

Before long, Fang Jun casually washed and bathed, changed into a round-necked Hu-style robe, and put on a turban before taking his seat in the hall.

Princess Jinyang smiled and looked at Fang Jun's radiant appearance, saying softly, "You must be tired from your journey. But you seem to have come home as if you've returned to your sister's place. You look so relaxed and happy. That's wonderful."

Princess Chang Le glared at Jin Yang with annoyance: "Then next time I host a banquet for your brother-in-law, I'll go to your palace so you can also show him hospitality."

How could an unmarried princess allow any outsider to enter her bedchamber?
Princess Jinyang seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in the words, her smile serene as she nodded lightly: "It's decided then!"

The Empress, standing to the side: "..."

I don't think I should be here.

It's like the extra one...

At this moment, the maid brought in the wine and dishes and placed them on the table. The Empress quickly said, "We can talk about this later. Please take your seats!"

After everyone took their seats, Fang Jun saw that the three women were all beautiful and charming, so he raised his glass first and said with a smile, "I am deeply grateful to the Empress and the two princesses for their kindness in hosting this banquet and inviting me to sit with them. I will drink this cup to show my respect."

Raise the glass and drink it all.

The Empress smiled kindly, raising an eyebrow: "An Empress and two princesses, yet Erlang only drank one cup? Is there some reason behind it?"

Her tone was spoiled and willful; she must have been a bright and clever young lady back in the day…

Fang Jun was not intimidated and retorted with a smile: "It is not that I am treating her differently, but the Empress and Jinyang are different from Chang Le."

The Empress's pretty face flushed slightly, and she said in a clear voice, "You speak without restraint! You're punishable by drinking the penalty wine!"

Do you still want to equate me with Jinyang and Changle?
This is simply unreasonable!
Fang Jun laughed loudly: "Your humble servant accepts the punishment!"

He drank two more cups.

Unexpectedly, the Empress, who usually appears virtuous and dignified, was quite adept at creating a lively atmosphere at the banquet.

Princess Jinyang then had a maid lift up her table and place it next to Fang Jun's table. She then moved closer to Fang Jun's table, rolled up her sleeves with one hand, and poured wine for him with the other. Her hairpins swayed, her head was lowered, and she looked like a little bird clinging to someone, completely obedient.

Empress Su held her forehead, finding it unbearable to look at, and inwardly complained that this girl was becoming more and more presumptuous.

Princess Chang Le, however, did not take it to heart. She looked at Fang Jun with concern and said reproachfully, "Don't listen to your sister-in-law's troublemaking. You must not drink hastily, as it is easy to harm your health."

Queen: "..."

It was indeed the extra one!
After drinking a few cups and eating some food, Princess Chang Le asked with concern, "I wonder how Brother Qing Que is doing in Japan? It's a small island country, a tiny place, with ignorant people and scarce resources. Brother Qing Que has been pampered and privileged since childhood. I'm afraid he'll have to suffer there."

Fang Jun took a sip of wine, watched as Princess Jinyang refilled her cup, and said, "How could he suffer? At the very least, he is the ruler of 'Fusang'. Now we all call him 'King of Fusang,' ruling over the three islands of Japan and millions of people. His words are law, and he has the power of life and death. He is a true lord who has established his own territory and is a regional ruler. Countless Japanese and Ainu people worship him. He enjoys the foundation of a country all by himself. You can't even imagine how happy the King of Wei is."

For Li Tai now, fine food and delicacies are not important at all. What matters most is the freedom of "birds soaring in the sky and fish leaping in the sea." He doesn't have to worry about being impeached or attacked every day, nor does he have to fear Li Chengqian's "elimination of all threats." That freedom from all constraints and threats is the true enjoyment.

When the Empress heard Fang Jun say that "you can't imagine the happiness of the Prince of Wei," she was slightly worried and hurriedly asked, "The Prince of Wei has no constraints and no scruples after going to 'Fusang'. Won't he indulge in pleasure and act recklessly? Everything else is fine. Even if he is muddleheaded and cruel, it is the Japanese who will suffer. At worst, he can come back to Chang'an if he can't stay there. But if he indulges in pleasure without restraint and ruins his health, that won't do. You have always been on good terms with him, so you must give him a lot of advice."

It's just an overseas fiefdom. Even if he acts recklessly and causes widespread resentment, it doesn't matter. At worst, he can just return to Chang'an and continue being a prince. But if he ruins his health too early, that would be terrible.

Fang Jun thought for a moment before understanding the Empress's meaning, and immediately smiled and said, "Your Majesty is too worried. There is really no need for that."

The Empress raised an eyebrow, slightly displeased: "The Prince of Wei is of noble birth and of high lineage. He cares little for fame or fortune; his health is the most important thing. You are both a court official and a friend of the Prince of Wei. How can you not care at all?"

"Your Majesty has misunderstood."

It was rare to see the Empress so slightly annoyed, a stark contrast to her usual dignified and virtuous demeanor. Fang Jun admired her beautiful face and said, "It's not that I don't care about Prince Wei, but that I have confidence in him."

"Ah!"

Feeling Fang Jun's slightly impolite and intense gaze, the Empress's heart skipped a beat and her cheeks flushed. She gave him a barely perceptible glare and sneered, "What kind of people are you men? Don't you know yourselves? When the Prince of Wei was in Chang'an, he was kept in check by his wife and feared the impeachment of the censors, so he could perhaps restrain himself a little. Now that he has gone to 'Fusang Kingdom' and is far from the emperor, he will surely reveal his true nature and become licentious and immoral!"

Fang Jun smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you misunderstand. It's not that I trust Prince Wei's integrity or moral character. Japan is a long, narrow island with scarce resources, and it is frequently hit by volcanic eruptions and hurricanes, making survival extremely difficult. This has led to widespread stunted growth and even deformities among the Japanese. Not to mention the men, the Japanese women are all dark-skinned, short, and ugly. Because they either roam the mountains or struggle for survival at sea, their legs are short and crooked... Their appearance can only be described as 'horrible to look at.' Your Majesty, how could such women possibly catch Prince Wei's eye? That's why I say Your Majesty need not worry. Even if Prince Wei were interested, once he takes a Japanese woman into the palace and intends to favor her, he will surely back down at the last minute and remain as steadfast as an old monk!"

Empress Su asked curiously, "Are Japanese women really that despicable?"

"Throughout history, when the Central Plains dynasties were intimidating the surrounding barbarians and dominating the world, various regions would offer beautiful women as tribute for the emperor's enjoyment. For example, beauties from Gaochang, Yuezhi, and Silla... But has the empress ever heard of Japanese women entering the palace? Even the Japanese knew their place and were simply not presentable! Offering beauties was meant to please the emperor of the Central Plains, but once Japanese women entered the palace, not only would they fail to please him, but the emperor might even send a large army to conquer them in his anger..."

Princess Changle and Princess Jinyang, listening to their sister-in-law, the Empress, discussing such topics with Fang Jun, exchanged bewildered glances, utterly speechless.

Is this a topic that an empress, a high-ranking official, and her brother-in-law should be discussing?
Moreover, they spoke casually and without any attempt to avoid suspicion...

The two sisters couldn't help but wonder when the two had become so close and natural.