My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 204 You Treat Me Like a State Scholar
July 22, the 17th year of Zhenguan.

Li Chengqian's army arrived in Jizhou.

Jizhou in the Tang Dynasty was different from Jizhou in the Han Dynasty. During the Han Dynasty, Jizhou was one of the thirteen states and had a large geographical area.

It includes most areas including Hebei, Shanxi, and northern Henan.

By the Tang Dynasty, after constant adjustments, it had shrunk a lot, but it was still a superior state.

It administered nine counties, namely Xindu, Tangyang, Nangong, Zaoqiang, Wuyi, Hengshui, Fucheng, Hua and Wuqiang, with its seat in Xindu.

For the entire Hebei Province, it is large in scale and has a large population, making it relatively important.

"General Su, we are back to your hometown now."

After arriving in Xindu, Li Chengqian said to Su Dingfang with a smile.

Su Dingfang was from Wuyi, Jizhou.

During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, his father Su Yong led thousands of people from his hometown to fight against the invading bandits. Su Dingfang was brave and courageous. He started to fight with his father at the age of fifteen and led the charge many times.

After his father Su Yong passed away, Su Dingfang took over his father's command of the troops, defeated the enemy leaders Zhang Jincheng and Yang Gongqing, and pursued the defeated army for more than 20 miles. From then on, the bandits dared not invade the territory again, and the villagers relied on him very much.

Later, Su Dingfang defected to Dou Jiande, the leader of the Hebei rebel army. Dou Jiande's general Gao Yaxian liked him very much and adopted him as his son.

After Dou Jiande's death, Gao Yaxian took Su Dingfang to join Dou Jiande's former general Liu Heita. When Su Dingfang was conquering and plundering land for Liu Heita, he always made contributions.

Later, Liu Heita and Gao Yaxian both died, and Su Dingfang chose to retire to his hometown.

Until the reign of Li Shimin, Su Dingfang followed the commander Li Jing to fight against the Eastern Turks.

That was the time when Tang Jian hated Li Jing the most in his life.

At that time, Su Dingfang was the first to break through Jie Li Khan's tent, so Tang Jian did not have a good face towards Su Dingfang.

When in Luoyang, Su Dingfang knew it was boring, so he did not follow into the city, but instead stayed in camp outside the city.

Today, Su Dingfang finally returned to his hometown.

Including dozens of personal guards around him.

They are called personal guards, but in fact they are all neighbors and relatives, and some are even cousins.

During the dynasty era, most of the personal guards around generals were neighbors.

This is an example of how one person's success will bring prosperity to everyone around him.

Su Dingfang was slightly stunned, a complex look flashed across his eyes, and then he bowed and said, "Your Highness, I have been away from home for many years. I never thought that the army would pass by here today. It is really a pleasant surprise."

He hasn't been back for many years, fourteen years if you count carefully.

In the third year of Zhenguan, he joined Li Jing's army, made meritorious service and went to Chang'an, and he never had time to come back.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "How far is Xindu from Wuyi?"

Su Dingfang replied: "About forty miles."

Li Chengqian said, "The army will rest in Xindu for a day. I will allow you to take your brothers back to Wuyi and arrive at the military camp before the army sets out the day after tomorrow."

Su Dingfang was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Highness."

He was homesick and really missed his hometown.

There are also the personal guards who follow him. Although some of them occasionally ask for leave to go back, it is usually only once every few years.

Li Chengqian said, "It's a rare opportunity to come back, so let's go to Xindu first and buy some gifts for our neighbors in my hometown."

"All the expenses for these gifts will be charged to me."

Su Dingfang said quickly, "How can this be done?"

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Are you still carrying money with you? Or are you planning to go back empty-handed?"

Su Dingfang immediately lowered his head in embarrassment.

I definitely can't go back empty-handed.

How could I bring any money with me if I was just following the army?

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Su Dingfang bowed with his hands clasped and a sincere look on his face.

It's a great honor to meet such a good prince who always thinks of me, so what does it matter if I die in battle?

Li Chengqian waved his hand: "Okay, no need to be polite."

"It's just right that you can tell me about the situation in Jizhou, such as which is the largest aristocratic family in Jizhou."

Su Dingfang grew up here, so he naturally knew everything about it. He introduced it to the prince and said, "Since the Yan and Wei dynasties, among the great families in Xindu, the Feng family is the most prosperous."

The Feng family of Changle is the most prominent family in the history of Jizhou.

From the Eastern Jin Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, which lasted for more than 500 years, especially during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, there were many talented people and high-ranking officials, and it was extremely glorious. There were four emperors, four empresses, four concubines, five prime ministers, and more than a hundred princes and ministers.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Feng Pu became a county magistrate at the age of nine, which is the first time in history.

After briefly telling the glorious history of the Changle Feng family, Su Dingfang began to talk about some situations about the Changle Feng family.

"The Feng family of Changle respected Confucianism and education, passed down poetry and books, and valued filial piety. All family members put filial piety first."

Listening to Su Dingfang talk about Changle Feng's filial piety, Li Chengqian felt that it was a bit extreme.

Filial piety is unconditional and requires complete obedience to the elders. One should also greet their harsh demands and unreasonable reproaches with a smile. One should give up everything to serve the elders and reach the state of selflessness.

In other words, in the Feng family of Changle, filial piety is the only thing.

The words of the elders in the tribe are the truth.

However, it is precisely because of this situation that the Changle Feng family has a stronger cohesion than other families.

Whether it's the emperor or the queen.

Even if he became prime minister.

You should also listen to the elders in your family and contribute to the development of your family.

Therefore, officials support each other. Once they have real power, they will promote people who have aristocratic blood ties and marriage relationships with themselves to build political groups and consolidate their own power.

Furthermore, relatives would conceal the truth among themselves, and when a member of the clan committed a crime, he could only be tried within the clan, with everyone from top to bottom protecting and exonerating him.

The Feng family of Changle has been in decline since the Sui Dynasty. Although there are still many people serving as officials in the court, it is not as good as before.

During the chaotic times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, he was unable to successfully board the ship of Li Yuan and Li Shimin.

As a result, in the Tang Dynasty court, there was only one person, Feng Yuanchang, who passed the imperial examination and was appointed as the lieutenant of Junyi County.

Historically, it was not until Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, ascended the throne that he was promoted to the position of Censor-in-Chief and later became the Inspector of Jiannan Road. He promoted benefits and eliminated harm in Shu and was supported by the local people.

During the Yongchun period, Feng Yuanchang was promoted to Shangshu Zuocheng. He was deeply appreciated and trusted by Li Zhi because of his proper handling of affairs, outstanding insight, good judgment of people and ability to stabilize the border.

Li Zhi was ill in his later years, and he ordered all officials to submit their reports to Feng Yuanchang for review before reporting to the emperor.

The Feng family of Changle also followed suit and developed along with this matter.

However, Feng Yuanchang once privately advised Li Zhi to curb Wu Zetian's power. Although Li Zhi did not accept his advice, he expressed his deep agreement. When Wu Zetian learned about this, she hated Feng Yuanchang deeply.

When Empress Wu came to power, the magistrate of Songyang County, Fan Wen, presented a sacred stone to the emperor. Feng Yuanchang reported to the emperor that this was an act of flattery and cunning, and that the world should not be deceived. Wu Zetian was furious and demoted him to the governor of Longzhou.

Soon, the court held Li Zhi's funeral in Qianling Mausoleum. Wu Zetian did not want Feng Yuanchang to come back, so she appointed him as the governor of Meizhou.

In Meizhou, Feng Yuanchang used both kindness and force to put down the bandit rebellion in Jiannan.

He was transferred to be the governor of Guangzhou. Wu Zetian did not allow him to return to Beijing to report for his post, and ordered him to go to Guangzhou on the way.

In Guangzhou, he led his troops across the sea to quell the rebellion of the Annan leader.

Although Feng Yuanchang had made many achievements during his tenure as a local official, he was not rewarded by the court because of Wu Zetian's hatred. In the end, he was framed by the cruel official Zhou Xing, and after being summoned back to Beijing to answer for his crimes, he was imprisoned and killed.

It was not until Li Xian, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, restored the throne that Feng Yuanchang was rehabilitated and his family was honored, with a name inscribed in large characters on the door: "The Gate of Loyal Ministers."

Foolish filial piety also means foolish loyalty.

Li Chengqian actually still has high hopes for the Feng family of Changle.

After all, he doesn't have to listen to the words of the old man Feng in Changle, and talents like Feng Yuanchang can be brought under his command earlier.

From a historical perspective, Feng Yuanchang was both civil and military, and was an expert at governing the people and the military.

Li Chengqian arrived in Xindu.

The governor of Jizhou naturally came with officials to welcome him and held a banquet for the prince.

An emergency family meeting was also being held within the Feng family in Changle.

All the respected elders of the clan were present.

In the hall, the atmosphere was heavy and solemn, and a dozen white-haired elders began to talk.

"This is our chance, the Changle Feng family's chance. If we can connect with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, it will be a great help to the family's revival."

"We need to get rid of Lee Soo Su's influence once and for all."

"The Five Surnames and Seven Families are supporting the King of Wei. The Crown Prince will be very interested in suppressing the Li family of Zhaojun."

"But will the prince look down upon us?"

"I have already talked to Governor Li, and he will help us arrange for Huiyin to serve the prince at the banquet."

"I'm sorry Huiyin."

"What a joke! Serving the prince, how can this be considered an injustice? This is an honor that everyone in the world wants to have."

"Everyone, please don't forget how our Changle Feng family got started."

Everyone was silent.

The rise of the Changle Feng family benefited from Empress Dowager Feng of the Northern Wei Dynasty during the Southern and Northern Dynasties.

She was the empress of Emperor Wencheng Tuoba Jun, the biological mother of Emperor Xianwen Tuoba Hong, and the biological grandmother of Emperor Xiaowen Yuanhong.

After Emperor Wencheng died, Empress Dowager Feng killed powerful officials and took charge of government for 25 years.

It was during these twenty-five years that Empress Dowager Feng vigorously promoted clansmen to official positions, and the Changle Feng family developed rapidly, becoming a prominent family.

It can be said that even when Empress Dowager Feng no longer led troops in person, and even after her death, the Changle Feng family continued to develop based on the foundation laid by Empress Dowager Feng.

"It's a pity that the prince already has a princess."

"Don't dream about what happened in the past. If you can become a concubine, it will be a great fortune for our family. Look at now, there is no one in the court or the country. The highest one is just the lieutenant of Junyi County. Is our Changle Feng family going to fall into poverty and become a merchant family?"

"It's getting late. Tell Huiyin right away. The future of the family depends on her alone. She must please the prince."

Feng Huiyin, seventeen years old, is taken from "The Book of Songs, Da Ya Si Qi" = Da Si succeeds Huiyin, and there will be hundreds of men.

The undisputed most beautiful woman in Jizhou.

Normally, at the age of seventeen, she would have been married, but Feng Huiyin was very famous and her family hoped to get a better political marriage.

The reason why it has not been settled yet is that in the late Sui Dynasty, the Feng family of Changle offended the Li family of Zhaojun.

Strictly speaking, he offended Li Shousu, one of the 18 scholars in the Qin Palace, who was from the Zhaojun Li family.

Li Shousu knew the famous families in various places very well, and was praised by Yu Shinan as a biographer for his mastery of genealogy.

Under normal circumstances, the Feng family of Changle has a tradition of passing down poetry and literature, and through the process of selecting filial and honest officials, many of them would be able to enter the court as officials.

Because of Li Shousu's relationship, this traditional path to officialdom was cut off.

The imperial examination also required a bank application, and it took a lot of personal connections to get Feng Yuanchang, the most talented member of the clan, to take part in the examination.

Li Shousu died in the early years of Zhenguan, but his descendants inherited Li Shousu's wishes and suppressed the Feng family of Changle.

Strictly speaking, the ancestors of the Feng family of Changle and the Li family of Zhaojun had grievances with each other. After all, the two prominent families were too close to each other. Jizhou and Zhao County both belonged to Hebei Province, and were only two or three hundred miles apart.

Dinner.

When the prince arrived, everyone bowed to him.

The governor of Jizhou naturally did not have so much money to hold such a grand banquet.

All the expenses were paid by Changle Feng.

There was only one request, that the clan girl Feng Huiyin be the prince's maid at the banquet.

After all, they had already inquired and found out that the prince did not bring any palace maids with him when he marched.

And at the banquet, it was naturally impossible to let a group of men serve the prince.

When Feng Huiyin appeared, Li Chengqian had to admit that he was indeed amazed.

Whether in terms of figure, appearance or temperament, Feng Huiyin is impeccable.

Especially those starry eyes, which are the most dazzling.

In the blink of an eye, it's like the stars twinkling in the sky.

Feng Huiyin was a little nervous.

She had never been in such close contact with a man in her life.

When pouring the wine, I couldn't help but tremble a little.

"Why are your hands shaking, young lady? Am I that scary?"

Li Chengqian asked with a smile, no one can refuse beautiful things.

After marching for more than twenty days, all we saw every day were a group of rough men. Suddenly, such a beautiful woman appeared, and the contrast became even stronger.

"Little lady" is a normal term for women nowadays, and it does not have the hooligan connotation it has in later generations.

When Feng Huiyin heard Li Chengqian's question, she became more nervous and her cheeks turned red.

She bowed her head slightly and replied softly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is extremely noble. This is the first time I have met you. I am terrified and my hands are shaking."

Li Chengqian looked at Feng Huiyin's shy look, and his heart moved. He smiled and said, "Don't be afraid. I won't eat you."

"You don't look like a maid. What's your name?"

Feng Huiyin's voice was slightly soft: "Your servant Feng Huiyin."

Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows: "Feng from Changle Feng Clan?"

Feng Huiyin suddenly became nervous: "Yes."

Li Chengqian asked again: "Is it a legitimate child or a concubine's child?"

Feng Huiyin's face turned pale: "Your Highness, it's a legitimate child."

Li Chengqian laughed out loud: "Mrs. Feng of Changle actually let her eldest daughter come to serve me as a servant. How courageous of her."

Feng Huiyin immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian's lips curled up slightly: "What crime should he be charged with?"

Feng Huiyin was speechless immediately.

Li Chengqian didn't continue to embarrass her, and said, "Okay, get up."

"You are the daughter of a rich family after all. Just sit beside me and drink and have fun with me."

Feng Huiyin looked delighted: "Thank you, Your Highness."

When you feel sleepy, someone will give you a pillow.

Li Chengqian and Changle Feng were also heading in opposite directions.

After all, according to Li Chengqian's plan, after the eastern expedition to Goryeo, the next step was to clean up the five surnames and seven families.

The most important of these is to conduct a population census and measure the land.

However, it is very irrational to directly deal with all the aristocratic families and stand in opposition to the aristocratic families in the Tang Dynasty.

Only by attacking some, pulling some, and keeping some neutral can we maximize our profits.

The Feng family of Changle is one of the groups that can be won over.

And Feng Huiyin is the hub in the middle.

That night, after the banquet was over.

Li Chengqian was also a little drunk.

It is not the wine that makes people drunk, it is people who make themselves drunk.

The bed curtain fell, Feng Huiyin did not dare to look directly at him, but only murmured softly: "I hope Your Highness will have mercy on me."

(End of this chapter)