Tang Dynasty: The Holy Prince, the Dragon that Reigns Over the World

The time has come to the beginning of the eighth year of Zhenguan. Since the first year of Zhenguan, Li Chengqian has reformed the government. The emperor and his ministers have been united and worked hard to govern the country. The Tang Dynasty has been prosperous and the country is peaceful. The country is at its peak and far surpasses the previous dynasties.

Li Chengqian was already 16 years old, and Li Yuan urged Li Shimin several times to arrange a marriage for Li Chengqian as soon as possible. Finally, in November of the 7th year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wugou discussed many times and decided to choose Su Wan'er, the daughter of Su Tan, the secretary and governor of Taizhou, as the crown prince's principal wife, and Ashina Zhen, the daughter of Duolu Khan of the Western Turkic region, and Ashina Yun, the daughter of Shibobi, as concubines. At the same time, they married Li Chengqian.

The wedding date was set for October 8, the eighth year of Zhenguan. The officials of the Ministry of Rites took the imperial edict for the Crown Princess and went to Su Tan's house to announce it. After arriving at Su Tan's house, the officials of the Ministry of Rites announced the edict.

"The imperial edict says: A virtuous and talented woman must be chosen as the wife of the state lady, and the heir apparent. She is the eldest daughter of the Secretary General Su Tan, and her family has inherited the imperial throne. She is a righteous woman, gentle and docile, and quiet by nature. She has made great achievements in history and her reputation has spread throughout the country. She is the rightful heir and is abiding by the imperial rules. She can be the Crown Princess. The relevant department shall prepare the ceremony and decree, and the master shall carry it out."

After receiving the imperial edict, Su Tan went to the palace to thank the emperor for his grace. The palace sent people to Su Tan's home to prepare for the wedding. Li Dejian and others who were far away in Gaochang received the news from the Jinyiwei and were overjoyed. They jointly wrote a letter to Li Chengqian.

He said that although Gaochang had been pacified, Li Chengqian could not go back for his wedding. He asked Li Chengqian to prepare more wine and wait for the brothers to come back and get drunk. Whoever ran away at that time would be a puppy.

Li Chengqian was deeply moved when he received the joint letter. Li Tai and Li Ke also wrote separately, wanting to return to Beijing to attend Li Chengqian's wedding. Li Chengqian readily agreed and let them return to attend the wedding.

It was the end of September in the eighth year of Zhenguan, and Li Chengqian was rehearsing the wedding ceremony in his mansion. After practicing for a while, he got bored, waved his hands, and said in a bored tone while sitting on a stool.

"No more practice, no more practice. It's too long-winded. Isn't it just a marriage? Why make so much trouble? If you ask me, just take her home, enter the bridal chamber and close the door. Then be honest with each other, and then everyone will be happy. How great." Li Ling'er and Qu Jingwen, who had been canonized as prince's concubines, both giggled when they heard this.

"Hey, my two beloved concubines are getting more beautiful. My dear slave, you are getting more charming. Hey, Ling'er, I found that you have grown again. I will give you a good check-up tonight. How about we sleep together tonight?"

Li Chengqian looked at the two people in front of him and said with a lewd smile. Li Linger and Qu Jingwen rolled their eyes at the same time, and nodded secretly with red faces.

Just when Li Chengqian was fantasizing about sleeping with two peerless beauties tonight, a sigh came from behind him.

"Hey, is this the famous Holy Prince of our Tang Dynasty? He flirted with his concubine in broad daylight and even slept with her. This is simply lewd and immoral. Brother Ke, do you think our eldest brother has fallen? How could such a good prince become a bad one?"

"Yes, is this still our wise and brave elder brother? Is someone impersonating him?" Li Ke echoed.

Li Chengqian turned around in surprise and saw Li Tai and Li Ke standing at the door, looking at him with a smile. Li Chengqian laughed loudly, ran over, put their heads under his arms, and rubbed their heads vigorously.

"Brother, stop rubbing it. It hurts." Li Tai shouted.

"I'll let you say bad things about me." Li Chengqian said with a smile, and then let go of the two men. The two men straightened their clothes and bowed their heads.

"Hello, elder brother. I haven't seen you for a year. I hope you are doing well." Li Chengqian helped the two men up and looked at them carefully.

"My brother is the governor of the Eastern Turkic region for the Tang Dynasty. He has worked hard. Have you seen father and mother?"

"It's not that it's hard. We are just doing our duty. As soon as we came out of the palace, we rushed to see you, brother. We haven't seen you for a year and we miss you very much." Li Ke said with a smile.

Li Chengqian led the two into the study and sat them down. Li Ling'er and Qu Jingwen served them tea. Seeing this, the two immediately stood up and saluted, calling her sister-in-law. The two girls blushed and left happily.

"Brother Ke, I have read your report. The Tiele tribes rebelled and established the Xueyantuo Khanate, with Yinan as their Khan. You personally led the army to fight against them and won a great victory. You also killed Yinan in battle with your own hands. You did a great job.

But you are ruthless enough. Yi Nan has already submitted a petition to request for enthronement, and the court is discussing it, but you just killed him. For this reason, many people have reported you, saying that you have your own troops and act arbitrarily. I have blocked it for you." Li Chengqian smiled with satisfaction.

"Who wants to go? I remember my elder brother once said that those who are not of my race must have different hearts. After I went to the border, I deeply believed it. They dared to establish a country after surrendering. They are simply courting death. The Tiele tribes overestimated their own strength. I led the troops to charge and defeated them. They have rubbish strength, but they dared to mess around under my nose." Li Ke said disdainfully. Li Chengqian nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Li Tai and said.

"Qingque has lost a lot of weight. You have done a good job this year. You went to the local areas to understand the people's conditions, organized the East Turkic herdsmen to learn farming, and vigorously promoted Chinese education. You have achieved remarkable results. I am very pleased."

"I am not as good as my brother Ke in leading troops in battle and making decisive decisions on the battlefield. I can only manage the territory well to live up to my elder brother's trust." Li Tai said with a smile.

Li Chengqian ordered people to prepare a meal, and got drunk with Li Tai and Li Ke. Li Tai and Li Ke got drunk and stayed overnight at the Prince's Mansion, and left the next day.

On the eighth day of the tenth month in the eighth year of Zhenguan, the prince got married and the whole country celebrated. The people of the Tang Dynasty spontaneously set off firecrackers to congratulate the prince.

At dusk (the wedding time in the Tang Dynasty was initially set at dusk. It was not until the middle Tang Dynasty that someone proposed to change the time to early morning because there were so many things to deal with at a wedding.), the prince's wedding team arrived at Su Tan's house. The door of Su Tan's house was closed. According to the wedding customs of the Tang Dynasty, the makeup had to be done at this time.

Of course, it was impossible for the prince to marry without opening the door. The wedding team symbolically called out "open the door" twice, and the door of Su Tan's house opened, and the servants knelt on the ground. After the bride got on the sedan chair, Li Chengqian gave red envelopes to the family members who surrounded her, and then walked towards the prince's mansion.

Arriving at the Prince's Mansion, the Minister of Rites Chen Shuda, the official in charge of ceremonies, entered the room, bowed to everyone, and announced:

The turn of summer and autumn is a golden and jade time. Beautiful scenery and good time, a perfect couple made in heaven, this marriage is completed. Qujiang fairyland, inherits the charm of Han and Tang Dynasties, inherits the pure music of China. Dragon and phoenix sing in harmony, a perfect couple made in heaven. The breeze welcomes guests, and the clear water adds love. The sound of drums and music, the carriages and horses pass by. The singing bursts, the fragrant sedan slowly stops. Orioles fly and swallows fly, the grass is lush. The clouds are covered with brocade, and the feet are long. The beauty is old, holding each other. This life will never be separated, fish and water blend together.

After the ceremonial officer, the Minister of Rites Chen Shuda, finished his announcement, he said loudly: "The auspicious time has arrived, welcome the bride and groom into the garden!" The salutes rang out, and the newlyweds lined up and walked slowly into the venue.

The two walked onto the red carpet, and the boy and girl began to scatter grains behind them. Then they went through the steps of crossing the fire basin, crossing the saddle, crossing the rice bag, and shooting three arrows to decide the outcome.

Li Chengqian used the jade fan in his hand to lift the veil, and saw Su Wan'er's beautiful face. After the fan was removed, Chen Shuda, the Minister of Rites, said loudly.

"Now please ask the newlyweds to perform the ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows. One bow to the heaven and earth, the sun, the moon and the stars. Please ask the newlyweds to dress neatly and bow. (Music) Good weather and good harvest, one bow, good harvest, another bow, a prosperous family, three bows."

Li Chengqian and Su Wan'er turned around, straightened their clothes, and bowed three times. The Minister of Rites Chen Shuda spoke loudly again.

"Bow again to our parents and ancestors. Please invite the parents of both parties to come up to the stage and take their seats. Dress neatly and bow. (Music) I wish my parents good health and happiness. Bow once. I wish my parents happiness and health. Bow again. I wish my parents longevity. Bow three times."

Li Chengqian and Su Wan'er faced Li Yuan and their parents, straightened their clothes, and bowed three times. The Minister of Rites Chen Shuda spoke loudly for the third time.

"Please face north, stand opposite each other, straighten your clothes, bow and kowtow. May you love each other, bow once. May you live in harmony forever, bow again. May you have a son soon, bow three times. (Music)"

Li Chengqian and Su Wan'er stood opposite each other, straightened their clothes, and bowed three times. Then they performed the ceremonies of tying the hair and drinking the wedding wine, and then the Minister of Rites Chen Shuda said loudly.

"In the sky, the Cowherd meets the Weaver Girl, and on earth, a talented man and a woman are paired. Today, the two families are married, and their prosperity and wealth will last forever. Send them to the bridal chamber."

Li Chengqian and Su Wan'er entered the bridal chamber. After drinking the wedding wine, they went to the bridal chamber of Ashina Zhen and Ashina Yun to drink the wedding wine, and then came out to entertain the guests.

Li Chengqian was drunk by the generals in the army and returned. After entering the bridal chamber, Su Wan'er came forward and hurriedly helped Li Chengqian to the bed. Li Chengqian saw everyone leaving the bridal chamber, turned over and sat up, looking at Su Wan'er with a smile, Su Wan'er blushed and said.

"Husband, why are you pretending to be drunk?"

"Hehe, today is our wedding night, how can I get drunk? My dear, a night of love is worth a thousand gold, let's rest early." Without waiting for Su Wan'er to react, Li Chengqian pulled Su Wan'er over and pressed her under him. Su Wan'er cried out, the candle went out, and she was rolled by the waves.

After Li Chengqian finished with Su Wan'er, he went to Ashina Zhen, Ashina Yun, Li Ling'er and Qu Jingwen. It was a tiring and happy night.

On the second day, even though Li Chengqian had excellent physical fitness, he still felt sore in his waist and legs. After bringing the three women to the palace to pay respects to Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wugou, Li Chengqian returned to the Prince's Mansion and sat in the study rubbing his waist, thinking, "Damn it, if anyone tells me that he can be yiyeqicilang again and acts like nothing happened, I will beat him to death."

"Hey, groom, how do you feel?" Chang Sun Chong walked in teasingly.

"Not very good, too tiring." Li Chengqian said honestly.

"Hey, who told you to marry three at once? But you've always been in good health, how could you be so tired? You're weak, not even as good as me." Chang Sun Chong teased. Chang Sun Chong has married Li Lizhi.

"I slept with five women last night. I don't know what happened to that crazy girl Li Ling'er. She tortured me twice. I felt like a horse." Li Chengqian wailed.

Chang Sun Chong was stunned when he heard this, then he bowed and said, "I admire you, yiyeliucilang. Speak more confidently, you are a stud, and even studs are not as good as you."

"You didn't come here just to find out about my bridal chamber, did you?" Li Chengqian said with a sidelong glance at Chang Sun Chong.

"I'm not that bored. The Jinyiwei secretly reported that Nisu, the Khan of the Western Turkic Khaganate, died of illness. His brother Tong'eshe succeeded him and became Shaboladilish Khan. Dilish lost the support of the people and civil strife broke out in the Western Turkic Khaganate. Yugushe was established as Yibi Duoluk Khan and fought a great battle with Dilish, but the outcome was inconclusive." Chang Sun Chong said.

"Oh? Very good. Immediately send a message to Li Dejian, asking him to lead the Feilong and Xuanwu armies into Western Turkestan on the pretext of assisting Dilishi in suppressing the rebellion. Order Luo Song to lead the Feiyi archers into Western Turkestan to assist Li Dejian. I will go to the palace and ask my father to issue an edict." Li Chengqian said.

Li Chengqian went to the palace to tell Li Shimin about the situation, and Li Shimin immediately issued an edict. He ordered Liangzhou Governor Guo Xiaoke to lead troops into Western Turkestan. He ordered Li Dejian to be the Governor of the Western Expedition, commanding the Feilong Army, Xuanwu Army, Feiyi Archer Cavalry and Guo Xiaoke's troops, and march into Western Turkestan on the pretext of assisting Dilishi in suppressing the rebellion.

Li Dejian received the order and immediately assembled his army to set out. He did not wait for the Flying Wing Cavalry and Guo Xiaoke's troops to join the Dilishi army. He fought a fierce battle with Yibi Duolu Khan at the foot of Tianshan Mountain and beheaded more than 10,000 people.

Yibi Duolu Khan was defeated, and Li Dejian helped Dilishi gradually recover the lost territory. Considering that Yibi Duolu Khan had far more troops than his own, and that other small Western Regions countries such as Qiuci, Dushan, Qiemo, Tocharistan, Yanqi, Shiguo, Shiguo, Heguo, Muguo, and Kangguo sent troops to help, Li Dejian decided to confront Yibi Duolu Khan and wait for reinforcements.

Two months later, reinforcements arrived. Li Dejian led his army in a surprise attack on a snowy night, defeated the coalition forces, and beheaded nearly 100,000 people. The coalition forces fled, and Li Dejian took advantage of the situation to pursue them. He captured the city where Chu Yue Ji Jin lived and subdued Chu Mi's people.

There was an internal conflict in Yibi Duolu Khan's tribe, and Yibi Duolu Khan was killed by his general Wulichu, who presented his head to Li Dejian. Li Dejian ordered his men to return to Chang'an on horseback to appease the remaining troops of Yibi Duolu Khan.

After a month of rest, Li Dejian led his troops to conquer Qiuci. The rest of the small Western Regions countries, including Dushan, Qiemo, Tocharia, Yanqi, Shiguo, Shiguo, Heguo, Muguo, and Kangguo, were all terrified and submitted petitions, offering countless treasures, in hopes of asking the Tang Dynasty to forgive their sins.

When Dilishi saw that the rebellion had been quelled, he wanted the Tang army to withdraw from Western Turkestan. However, he did not know that it was easier to invite a god than to send him away. Li Dejian stationed troops in Western Turkestan for various reasons.

Seeing this, Dilishi wanted to assassinate Li Dejian, but the Jinyiwei warned Li Dejian in advance. Li Dejian took the opportunity to surround Dilishi's camp, and Dilishi had no choice but to surrender. Li Dejian, according to Li Chengqian's order, ordered Dilishi to submit a petition to completely return Western Turkic to the Tang Dynasty, but Dilishi refused to obey.

That night, Wang Lianghe, the pacification envoy of the Jinyiwei Artifacts Division, walked into Dilishi's tent with a smile and had a pleasant chat with Dilishi all night, during which Dilishi's wailing could be heard from time to time in the tent. The next day, Dilishi personally submitted a petition requesting to completely submit to the Tang Dynasty, and he was willing to live in Chang'an in peace in his later years.

Li Shimin received the memorial and readily agreed. He issued an imperial decree to confer Dilishi the title of Prince of Shunyi, General of the Left Guard, and grant him a princely mansion in Chang'an.

Li Chengqian discussed with Li Shimin and other officials at the court meeting and decided to change Western Turkic into Xizhou, with Shuanghe City as its seat. Qiuci was incorporated into Changzhou. The seat of Anxi Protectorate was moved to Qiuci City. Xizhou and Changzhou were under the jurisdiction of Anxi Protectorate.

Li Dejian was ordered to remain as the Protector General of Anxi Protectorate, and Guo Xiaoke as the Deputy Protector General. Since then, the Western Turkic Khaganate was completely destroyed and incorporated into the Tang Dynasty.