My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 207 Li Shimin: I am always too soft-hearted, too soft-hearted

Anyone can be emperor except the King of Wu.

The royal blood of two dynasties made the King of Wu naturally the most noble, but it was this nobility that limited the possibility of the King of Wu becoming the emperor.

The Tang Dynasty was established by overthrowing the Sui Dynasty and allowing the royal bloodline of the previous dynasty to become the emperor.

Then what is the point of overthrowing the Sui Dynasty?

Concubine Yang was very clear about this, so all she could do was to ensure that Prince of Wu Li Ke and Prince of Shu Li Yin had a better future.

At the level of a prince, taking sides is an inevitable issue.

No one can avoid it completely.

Not taking sides means a change of power after a change of dynasty.

Ever since the last Lantern Festival poetry gathering, Concubine Yang has established a relationship with the Crown Prince.

This relationship is not obvious, and in fact, most of the time, it is meaningless to the prince.

But Concubine Yang knew that if the prince could ascend the throne smoothly, her two sons would not be demoted. Even if they would not be overly favored, at least they would not be overly forced.

And if we can help deal with this crisis, it would be useful.

The prince will definitely remember her kindness.

"Pass on my order that the carriage is inconvenient today. Summon Du Fengyu immediately. I want to ask him how he managed the horses to make such a mistake."

Concubine Yang immediately ordered Du He to come.

She didn't want to go directly to the East Palace because that would cause too much noise.

Regarding Zhang Ananda's investigation into Du He, some people must have already made some guesses, so it was necessary to remind Du He in advance.

The official position of Shangcheng Fengyu was not only responsible for the emperor's horses, but also included matters related to the carriages in the harem.

Within the Shangcheng Bureau, grooms, veterinarians, horse trainers, etc. are all under its jurisdiction.

Soon, Du He came over.

When Du He heard that the order was from Concubine Yang, he immediately had an idea in his mind.

During this period, the wine I drank didn't taste good, the tea I drank didn't taste sweet, and my heart was filled with sorrow.

He didn't dare to see Li Anyan, let alone go to the East Palace.

I was afraid that the prince would be involved.

Concubine Yang is a member of the Prince's party. Du He understands that Concubine Yang is trying to find a way to help him.

Du He had a calm expression and bowed, "Greetings to Concubine Yang."

Concubine Yang nodded and waved her hand.

Except for the personal maid, everyone else left.

Leaving behind a personal maid was also to avoid suspicion.

Although the Tang Dynasty was an open-minded society, it was still easy for a single man and a single woman to be criticized if they were alone in a room.

"Du He, did you know that Eunuch Zhang is investigating you?"

Concubine Yang did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

Du He said bitterly: "I know."

Concubine Yang nodded slightly and said, "You can't stay in Chang'an any longer. Only by leaving Chang'an can you avoid it temporarily and wait for the prince to return."

Du He really wanted to leave Chang'an, but how could he leave?

He said helplessly: "There is no other way at the moment. His Majesty will definitely not agree to my leaving."

Concubine Yang said, "If you want to leave, His Majesty will not allow you to leave, but what about Chengyang?"

"Changle passed away not long ago. Your Majesty is most concerned about the princesses now. If Chengyang has any problem, Your Majesty will definitely allow it."

"You are the prince consort, so it is reasonable for you to go with me. Even if His Majesty has some ideas, he will not make it too difficult for Chengyang's sake."

When Du He heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up.

He immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Concubine Yang, for teaching me."

Du He couldn't think of this because he had little experience in political struggles.

Concubine Yang could see it clearly because she was more sensitive to emotions and had followed His Majesty for so many years, so she understood His Majesty's thoughts to some extent.

Concubine Yang did not compete for favor because there was no need to do so.

Empress Changsun has passed away, and who in the harem could be of a more noble status than her?

There is no point in arguing.

However, not competing does not mean that you won’t do it.

Du He's situation seems hopeless, but in fact there is still a glimmer of hope.

This glimmer of hope lies in Princess Chengyang.

From another perspective, this glimmer of hope was gained by the death of Princess Changle.

At this unique point in time, Your Majesty is softer-hearted and more easily moved.

"Go quickly."

"Let's go to my stable first."

When you act, you have to do it completely. It’s one thing for others to guess what they think, but at least they can’t find any reason to criticize you.

Concubine Yang didn't need to say too much to Du He.

"Yes, Concubine Yang."

Du He was surprised and hurried to the stable.

After scolding a few grooms, he hurried back to the Shangcheng Bureau, waited for the end of his shift, and went back to discuss with Chengyang.
-
"There's something wrong with Concubine Yang's horse. Call Du He to hold him accountable."

"Du He scolded Yang Fei's groom and left?"

As long as Zhang Ananda wanted to investigate the movement in the palace, no one would be able to hide it.

Before Du He had even sat down in the Shangcheng Bureau, Zhang Ananda had already received the news.

"Yes." The eunuch who reported affirmed.

Zhang Ananda frowned.

He realized that there must be something going on here.

It was no secret in the palace that Concubine Yang was a member of the Prince's party.

At this time, no matter what the reason is, the meeting between Concubine Yang and Du He could not be as simple as it seemed.

It is not necessarily the case that Shang Cheng Feng Yu should be held accountable if there is a problem with the horse.

But there's nothing wrong with this.

After much hesitation, Zhang Ananda did not tell His Majesty about this matter.

After all, His Majesty is very busy with government affairs and cannot report every piece of news to him. If so, what is the purpose of having a eunuch like him?

That night.

After Du He returned home, he told Princess Chengyang about this.

Princess Chengyang was a little confused: "Why do you want to leave Chang'an?"

Du He never told Princess Chengyang about his conspiracy with the Crown Prince.

Princess Chengyang is of an innocent and quiet nature.

I usually like flower arrangement and am a homebody.

As a born noble, she only needs to do what she likes.

Du He said hesitantly: "Someone wants to use me to frame the prince."

Chengyang frowned slightly: "Is it Qingque? He is too much. He is not in Chang'an anymore, but he still wants to do these things."

"Tell me who is trying to frame the prince, and I will tell my father to punish them."

Du He paused.

Can I say Your Majesty?
Is it really okay to let Your Majesty punish yourself?

"My lady, it's not as simple as you think. There are too many things involved."

"Even His Majesty may not be able to see clearly, and may be deceived instead."

Du He explained patiently.

Cheng Yang was very confident: "Father will definitely believe me."

Du He was speechless.

He persuaded them: "Let's not get involved. If we leave Chang'an, these people's conspiracy will fail."

"If Your Majesty is bewitched, wouldn't it be a disaster?"

"Haven't you always wanted to visit Mount Tai and paint a picture of it? This is a good opportunity."

Hearing about Mount Tai, Chengyang was somewhat interested and replied, "Okay, let's go to Mount Tai." Du He breathed a sigh of relief.

The next day.

Princess Chengyang entered the palace.

As a legitimate daughter, there was no obstacle for Princess Chengyang to enter the palace.

Li Shimin also quickly summoned his second legitimate daughter.

Now that the eldest daughter is gone, the second daughter becomes more important.

"Chengyang, why did you think of entering the palace to see me today? Did you miss me?"

Li Shimin's tone was gentle, and he was always more tolerant towards his daughters.

Princess Gaoyang was deeply loved by Li Shimin, but that was only relative to a concubine's daughter. She could not rank in front of a legitimate daughter.

"Chengyang wants to go to Mount Tai and paint a picture of Mount Tai to present to my father."

Chengyang's painting is also well-known in the royal family.

Hearing this, Li Shimin immediately understood Chengyang's intention.

Li Shimin wanted to offer sacrifices to the gods at Mount Tai, and he had thought about doing so many times.

Starting from the fifth year of Zhenguan, the ministers in the court had been persuading Li Shimin to ascend Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth. On the 19th day of the first month of the sixth year of Zhenguan, the court officials almost unanimously made the request again, which to a certain extent made Li Shimin consider ascending Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth.

However, considering that the Tang Dynasty had just recovered from the war at the end of the Sui Dynasty, it was not appropriate to carry out such a costly activity as Fengshan; the middle period of the Zhenguan period was too long after the Qin and Han Dynasties, and the relevant rituals could not be verified, so a lot of time was spent on formulating the rituals.

In the 14th year of Zhenguan, he made up his mind to perform Fengshan, but encountered a comet incident. The Taibushu believed that this was a warning from heaven, so Li Shimin had to cancel the plan.

However, the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai has always been Li Shimin's dream.

"Chengyang is indeed my good daughter, but the weather is hot, and the journey from Chang'an to Mount Tai is long and steep. Why should Chengyang suffer the pain of being exposed to the sun and bumpy?"

"I feel your kindness, but as for the long journey, let's forget about it."

Li Shimin smiled and said that he felt sorry for his daughter.

Cheng Yang blinked and said playfully, "Father, you may not know yet, but my elder brother's ice-making method has spread. Qing Que put a lot of Xiaoshi in the carriage, making the whole carriage icy cold."

"Now many princes and nobles are imitating this and are putting xiaoshi in their carriages."

"If you walk this way, you won't feel tired, and you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of our Tang Dynasty."

Li Shimin was slightly surprised and frowned slightly. He really didn't know about this.

Chengyang is naive, but not stupid.

Just a few words pushed the King of Wei to the point of indulging in pleasure.

And when I speak, it doesn't seem like I'm being targeted.

"So, Father, are you going to let Cheng Yang go?"

"Please, Chengyang wants to go there even in his dreams."

Chengyang walked straight forward, took Li Shimin's hand and started to act coquettishly.

Li Shimin was completely immune to this.

He smiled and agreed: "Okay, okay, I promise you."

Cheng Yang said with a smile: "Thank you, Father. Then you have to give your husband a three-month holiday."

Thinking of Du He, Li Shimin became a little hesitant.

After all, he also arranged for Zhang Ananda to investigate the prince's rebellion.

If Du He were to go on a long journey, wouldn't the investigation be in vain?

"Father, do you want Chengyang to go such a long way alone?"

"It's so far away, and for so long, no one has taken care of Chengyang."

After Princess Chengyang said this, Li Shimin had no choice but to agree.

"Of course not. I will let Du He take a three-month break so that he can accompany you to Mount Tai."

Chengyang immediately hugged Li Shimin's hand and said with a happy smile: "Thank you, father."

Although this kind of family affection was a bit impolite, it touched Li Shimin so much that he had no resistance.

After hearing this promise, Zhang Ananda, who was standing by as the narrator, suddenly felt uncomfortable.

But it’s hard to say it.

At this point in time when Princess Changle passed away, His Majesty was most saddened by his only two legitimate daughters.

Once the golden mouth is opened, how can it be changed overnight?

Zhang Ananda felt a little regretful. He now understood that this was probably the advice that Concubine Yang gave to Du He yesterday.

This trick is very useful to Your Majesty.

Watching Princess Chengyang leave happily.

Zhang Ananda was silent for a while, but still didn't speak.

It was already a foregone conclusion that Du He would leave Chang'an. His hindsight would only lower his impression in the emperor's mind.

It's better to just let it go and pretend you don't know.

Received the news this morning.

Just after noon, Du He hurriedly took Cheng Yang and fled the city.

In Chang'an, you'd be nervous even if you stayed there for a moment longer.

As long as no one is around, no matter what Eunuch Zhang finds out, he can avoid it better.

Du He's escape caused quite a stir inside and outside the palace.

Fang Xuanling didn't care.

Anyway, he already has a fairly complete chain of evidence in his hands.

It would not be a bad thing if the prince's rebellion could be delayed for some time, but it would not be a good thing if it broke out too early.

Changsun Wuji didn't care even more.

When the prince ascended the throne, he was a loyal minister.

When the crown prince rebelled, he supported the Prince of Jin.

As long as the Prince of Wei doesn’t succeed in his bid for the throne, it’ll be fine.

Changsun Wuji is now trying to find a loophole for the King of Wei.

To prepare for the attack on King Wei.

The only one who was anxious was Wu Zhao.

He is the one who most wants Prince Jin to succeed the throne and become the crown prince.

Because only if Prince Jin becomes the crown prince will she have a chance to escape from the palace.

Although the Tang Dynasty was a tolerant society and remarriage was common, she was His Majesty's woman after all, and remarrying His Majesty's son would easily lead to criticism and great resistance.

But if Prince Jin became emperor, it would be an easy thing.

July 28th, the 17th year of Zhenguan.

Wang Xuance set out from Kathmandu, the capital of the Nepalese kingdom, to India.

The King of Nepal was Nalindeva, who had great respect for the powerful Tang Dynasty. Although he had not yet sent envoys to the Tang Dynasty, he already regarded himself as a subject.

Although Nepal was not a country on the main route of the Silk Road, it had indirect trade relations with the Tang Dynasty through the radiation effect of the trade network.

For example, spinach, which originated in Persia, was introduced to the Tang Dynasty via Nepal.

Tang Dynasty's silk, tea, porcelain, etc. were welcomed by Nepalese nobles.

Nalingdeva knew very well that although he had only a vague concept of the Tang Dynasty, Nepal was no match for Tubo, and Tubo had to bow down and submit to the Tang Dynasty.

His legitimate daughter was Songtsen Gampo's concubine, but a woman from the royal family of the Tang Dynasty could become the queen of Tubo.

For Nepal, making friends with the Tang Dynasty is the politically correct thing to do.

If we displease the Tang envoy, and he goes back to say a few words and sends troops to Nepal, that would be disastrous.

When it comes to understanding the Eastern Empire, Nepal is still stuck on some aspects of the Han Dynasty.

The title of Han envoy is very famous to the countries surrounding the Central Plains.

Emperor Wu of Han made the name of the Han Dynasty too famous.

This has meant that the surrounding countries that are a little further away are still under the threat of the Han Dynasty to the Eastern Empire.

On the same day, Li Chengqian's army arrived in Yingzhou and marched towards Youzhou.

It is expected to arrive in Youzhou within five days.

Before August 15th, they arrived in Yingzhou to prepare for war with Goryeo.

(End of this chapter)