Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 528 Conferring the Title of Duke of Zhao Again

In the sweltering heat of July, the sun had gradually risen to its zenith.

Li Zhi had changed into a formal suit and was resting inside the hall, holding a small booklet in his hand.

This booklet records the achievements of the sixteen officials to be commended today. The awards will be announced publicly later, so you need to memorize it.

The Thousand Autumns Banquet was being held in Chengqing Hall, and there was still about half an hour before the banquet was scheduled to begin.

Li Zhi suddenly put down the booklet and asked Wang Fusheng, "Are the fish-shaped tallies all prepared?"

Wang Fusheng said softly, "Reporting to everyone, everything is ready."

Li Zhi nodded: "In that case, we can go to Chengqing Palace now."

As I strolled out of the house, I had just reached the doorway when I suddenly saw a small figure running towards me down the corridor in the distance.

"Yay!" Princess Taiping, carrying two small boxes, one on each side and tucked under her arms, ran to Li Zhi.

Li Zhi said, "Yue'er, your father is going to have a banquet with the ministers. Is there anything you need?"

Princess Taiping hugged the two boxes to her chest, tilting her little face up: "Ya-Ya, today is your birthday, this is a gift that Yue'er prepared for you."

Li Zhi took the box, opened it, and was stunned.

The box contained small white stones, which had been ground into the shape of chess pieces.

The other box also contained small stones that had been ground into chess pieces, but they were grayish-black in color.

"Moon, did you grind all these chess pieces?" Li Zhi asked, moved.

Princess Taiping blushed and said, "It took Yue'er more than a month to grind them all. Although they are not very neat, Yue'er ground them all herself without asking the servants for help."

Li Zhi squatted down, took Princess Taiping's small hand, and saw that her hand was covered in red and purple marks, and there were also broken skin in some places. He couldn't help but feel very sorry for her.

"Silly child, why do you have to grind it yourself? Doesn't your hand hurt?"

Princess Taiping pulled her hands out and put them behind her back, giggling, "It doesn't hurt at all! Second Sister said that only handmade gifts show sincerity, and only then will Grandpa be happy. Grandpa, are you happy?"

Li Zhi touched her little face and said with a smile, "I am so happy. My Yue'er is becoming more and more sensible."

Princess Taiping blinked: "Can Father use these chess pieces to play a game of chess with Yue'er?"

Li Zhi said, "Not now. How about I accompany you after I've met with the ministers?"

Princess Taiping laughed and said, "Alright, then Yue'er will be waiting for you in the bedchamber." With that, she quickly ran into the bedchamber.

After a while, another little head popped out. Seeing Li Zhi looking in their direction, it waved its little hand and said, "Yay, hurry up and finish the banquet so you can come back and play chess with Yue'er."

Li Zhi smiled slightly: "Alright, you wait here." He then walked away.

Outside Chengqing Hall, all the ministers had arrived. Apart from the deceased Cheng Mingzhen, the other fifteen stood outside the door.

Among the common people, some have already referred to the officials who attended this banquet as the Sixteen Meritorious Officials of the Thousand Autumns Banquet.

Being able to attend such a grand feast, these meritorious officials were naturally all smiles, and they gathered in twos and threes to chat.

Li Ji, Yuchi Gong, and Cheng Zhijie stood together.

Cheng Zhijie glanced at Yuchi Gong and teased, "You old codger, I heard you haven't been feeling well lately and have been bedridden. I thought you'd have to be carried here. How come you're all better now? Were you faking it?"

Yuchi Gong said irritably, "When have you ever feigned illness? It was just that you were happy to hear that His Majesty was going to hold a banquet, and the pain naturally subsided."

Cheng Zhijie grinned and gave a thumbs up.

"That's truly remarkable. If you're ever near death, I'll invite His Majesty to host another banquet; that should be able to save you."

Yuchi Gong rolled his eyes, too lazy to pay any attention to this fellow.

Li Ji laughed and said, "Hei Lang is a man of strong emotions. He must be happy and his blood and qi are flowing smoothly, which is why his condition has improved!"

"Ah! Brother Li really knows how to talk. No wonder His Majesty appointed him as prime minister," Yuchi Gong praised.

Not far from the three, Su Dingfang, Pei Xingjian, and Xue Rengui also gathered together.

Xue Rengui was asking Su Dingfang about the situation in Kunming and Tibet.

Su Dingfang said, "The Kunzang Protectorate is relatively stable, but the surrounding countries are not so stable."

Xue Rengui asked, "Isn't the situation in India unstable?"

Su Dingfang nodded: "This Peroz is too restless, frequently encroaching on the territories of other countries in India. Wang Xuance and I discussed it and we both believe that he wants to accumulate strength so that he can launch a counterattack against the Abbasid Caliphate in the future."

Xue Rengui shook his head and said, "This person is so ungrateful; it seems that the Persian Kingdom cannot last long."

Pei Xingjian suddenly asked, "I heard from Cui Zhibian that the Greater and Lesser Bolu Kingdoms are also fighting with the Nine Sogdian Kingdoms. Is that true?"

Su Dingfang said, "There was indeed a battle a while ago, but the Greater and Lesser Bolu Kingdoms sent envoys to the Kunzang Protectorate to ask me to mediate. I sent people to warn the Nine Sogdian Kingdoms, and the war stopped."

The two Bolu kingdoms initially followed the Arabs and invaded Kang, and have always maintained a hostile relationship with the nine Sogdian kingdoms.

After the Tocharians were split in two, they lost contact with the Abbasid Caliphate and were immediately targeted and harassed by a group of vassals of the surrounding Tang Dynasty.

In an effort to protect themselves, they hastily sent people to Chang'an, hoping to submit to the Tang Dynasty.

Li Zhi initially ignored them, but later the two kings spent a great deal of money, sending a large amount of their domestic wealth as tribute to the Tang Dynasty.

After Li Zhi consulted with Pei Xingjian, Pei Xingjian believed that it would be better to leave the two countries behind, as they could restrain the nine Sogdian states and prevent them from becoming too powerful.

Simply put, the Tang Dynasty needed to maintain this situation of being surrounded by small countries, and it was important to prevent any one country from becoming too powerful and threatening the Tang Dynasty.

Li Zhi thought this made sense, accepted the tribute from both countries, and included them in the ranks of the Tang Dynasty's vassal states.

In fact, as long as the Tang Dynasty is stable, it is not easy for the surrounding small countries to start wars easily. Even if war breaks out, the Tang Dynasty can mediate at any time.

For the Tang Dynasty, stability in other countries was essential for the prosperity and development of its commerce.

Therefore, driven by shared interests, the entire region is experiencing a rare period of peace.

As for Peroz of Persia, he relied on his past achievements and wanted to restore the glory of the Persian Empire.

Both Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) and the officials of the Tang Dynasty had a limit to their tolerance of him.

If he continues to stir up trouble in the surrounding areas, the Tang Dynasty will deal with him sooner or later.

Just then, a palace attendant reported that the emperor had entered the side hall. The officials stopped talking, divided into two groups, and entered the main hall.

The layout of the main hall was different from usual.

Previously, ministers would kneel on mats, but today Li Zhi ordered sixteen chairs to be set out, with a table in front of each chair. The ministers then stood beside the chairs.

After learning that the ministers had entered the palace, Li Zhi also entered through a side gate and sat down on the throne.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects and wish you a long and prosperous reign and good health!" The ministers bowed in greeting.

Li Zhi glanced around and raised his hand, saying, "My lords, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down and let's talk."

The officials took their seats.

Li Zhi slowly began to speak:

"Today's banquet is no ordinary palace banquet, as you all surely know. Over the years, the country has prospered and the people have enjoyed peace and well-being, which is inseparable from your hard work and assistance. Today, I take this opportunity of this grand banquet to celebrate with you all, so that you may know that I have not forgotten anyone's contributions!"

The courtiers were overjoyed and moved to tears. They rose in unison, bowed deeply, and said, "Your Majesty, we thank you!"

Li Zhi ordered someone to pour him a cup of wine, raised the cup and said, "This first cup of wine is to honor General Cheng Mingzhen. The old general fought bravely on the battlefield against Goguryeo, which resulted in serious injuries to his body, and he passed away before his time. He was truly a loyal and valiant man of our Great Tang!"

Pour the wine from the glass onto the ground.

The courtiers also raised their cups and poured the wine on the ground.

Li Zhi, carrying another cup of wine, came down the steps and stood before Li Ji.

"Lord Li, you are the pillar of our Great Tang Dynasty. In the war against Tibet, it was thanks to your joint planning with the Emperor's brother-in-law that we were able to win. In the war against Goguryeo, it was thanks to your outstanding command that we were able to win. Come, let me toast you!"

Li Ji, his face flushed, bowed and drank a cup with Li Zhi.

After finishing his drink, Li Zhi continued on his way and arrived at the second person.

Sitting in the second seat was none other than Changsun Wuji.

Li Zhi looked at him, and after their eyes met, they both couldn't help but recall their conversation in the Lizheng Hall.

At that time, Changsun Wuji revealed his true feelings, saying that Li Tai of Puyang had written to him, intending to rebel.

It is also said that those princes of the uncle generation, dissatisfied with Li Shimin's Xuanwu Gate Incident, harbored a seed of rebellion in their hearts.

If it weren't for Changsun Wuji, when Li Zhi first ascended the throne, there would never have been only Prince Jing, Li Yuanjing, plotting a rebellion.

He thought he was going to die, so he spoke very directly and without any politeness.

It was these words that moved Li Zhi, who ultimately spared his life.

Now that time has passed, Li Zhi is able to view this matter with equanimity.

It can be said that when a person possesses the power of Changsun Wuji, most people would be likely to choose to rebel.

A small number of people, like Changsun Wuji, will hold onto power but have no intention of rebelling.

As for those who voluntarily returned power to the emperor, there are probably very few throughout history.

Now that Li Zhi is in control of everything, he is able to view Changsun Wuji with greater tolerance.

Given his achievements over the years, it's time to vindicate him.

Li Zhi said softly, "Imperial brother-in-law, you've worked hard all these years."

Changsun Wuji's eyes reddened as he smiled and said, "I am deeply grateful that Your Majesty has given me, a sinner, the opportunity to serve the country and atone for my sins!"

After saying this, he bowed deeply.

Li Zhi looked at everyone and said loudly, "My lords, today I want you all to know that over the years, my brother-in-law has been silently contributing to the country behind the scenes in many important matters. Externally, there was the war against Tibet; internally, there was the suppression of rebellions and support for reforms. From this day forward, I will restore my brother-in-law's title of Duke of Zhao!"

Upon hearing this, the assembled officials all looked at Changsun Wuji. Some were happy for him, while others frowned secretly.

However, regardless of how people view Changsun Wuji, they have to admit that he is indeed an admirable person.

No one who did what he did could possibly survive.

Changsun Wuji survived and was even reinstated as a nobleman; how could one not admire him?

Next, Li Zhichao toasted each of them, recounting their contributions over the years.

Yu Zhining's wording was the most ambiguous, because he didn't really have much merit; he just happened to be able to get some minor credit in every major event.

Among those present, Di Renjie and Zhang Jianzhi had the lowest official rank and seniority.

On the other hand, although they are young, they are truly capable.

Di Renjie was in charge of the Dali Temple and managed the security of Chang'an City very well. Almost every resident of Chang'an felt that no matter what the case was, as long as Di Renjie took action, the truth would surely come to light.

This has, in a subtle way, deterred many people who might be tempted to take the risk.

Zhang Jianzhi was in charge of the Court of State Ceremonies and concurrently served as the Vice Minister of the Secretariat. As the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, he gave people the impression of being tough!

After Zhang Jianzhi entered the Court of State Ceremonial, foreign envoys became more reasonable and cautious, and almost no one dared to cause trouble at the Court of State Ceremonial.

In addition, Zhang Jianzhi was energetic and could handle the affairs of the Secretariat well, which few people could do.

For this reason, others also admired them greatly, and no one showed any dissatisfaction.

After Li Zhi finished offering Zhang Jianzhi the last cup of wine, he returned to the throne platform and faced the crowd.

"My lords and I have jointly created this prosperous Yonghui era. Your outstanding achievements will surely be recorded in history! Today, I bestow upon each of you a jade fish tally. There are only sixteen of these tallies. I hope you will cherish them as a memento."

After speaking, Wang Fusheng took a gilded brocade box and came down to the steps. Inside the box were sixteen exquisite white jade fish talismans.

These fish-shaped tallies look exactly like the gold and silver fish tallies, except that they are made of the finest Lantian jade, making them even more valuable than gold.

The fish-shaped talisman was originally designed as a symbol of status and honor.

Everyone present wore goldfish charms.

Now that Emperor Gaozong has bestowed upon them a white jade fish tally, they are superior in status to other holders of gold fish tallies.

The officials received the tally and expressed their gratitude. Since Cheng Mingzhen was not present, Li Zhi ordered someone to deliver the fish-shaped tally to Cheng's residence.

(End of this chapter)