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

In February of the 9th year of Zhenguan, the Western Turks surrendered and the small states in the Western Regions submitted a petition to submit. After half a year of rectification and appeasement, the Western Turks and the Western Regions had basically recovered. Li Chengqian immediately reported to Li Shimin and appointed Guo Xiaoke as the governor of Anxi Protectorate.

The Flying Dragon Army, Black Tortoise Army and Flying Wing Archer Cavalry were transferred back from the Western Regions to repair armor and equipment, replenish troops and equipment, and prepare for the next foreign war.

Li Dejian and others received Li Chengqian's order and immediately handed over their work to Guo Xiaoke and prepared to set off. Since the twelfth month of the fifth year of Zhenguan, Li Dejian, Yuchi Baolin, and Qin Huaiyu led the Feilong Army and the Xuanwu Army to follow Li Chengqian to the expedition against the Eastern Turks. In August of the ninth year of Zhenguan, Li Chengqian ordered them to return. Nearly 4 years had passed.

Everyone was homesick, so to speed up the process, the Flying Dragon Army and the Flying Wing Archers planned to have two horses per person, and the Black Tortoise Army planned to all ride in carriages, and rush back day and night.

When Li Chengqian learned that Li Dejian wanted to purchase a large number of horses and carriages, he waved his hand and issued an order: The Prince's Mansion will pay for the horses, carriages and other supplies needed for the three armies' return journey.

Li Chengqian sent a pigeon to order the general distributor of the Royal Trade Bureau in the Western Regions to purchase the materials according to the list of materials provided by Li Dejian, and the expenses would be deducted from the crown prince's share. When the soldiers of the Flying Dragon Army, the Black Tortoise Army and the Flying Wing Archer Cavalry learned about this, they were all grateful to Li Chengqian.

In the twelfth month of the ninth year of Zhenguan, four people drove towards Chang'an outside the city. Each of them looked tired, but their expressions were extremely excited.

These four people were Li Dejian, Yuchi Baolin, Qin Huaiyu, Cheng Huailiang, etc. who had rushed back from the Western Regions. The four were anxious to go home, and Luo Song saw this and asked the four to go first, and he led the troops to arrive a few days later.

When Yuchi Baolin saw the city wall of Chang'an, he looked up to the sky and shouted, "Chang'an, I'm back." The others also shouted excitedly.

Just when everyone was excited, a gentle voice was suddenly heard.

"Green ants and new wine, red clay stove. It's going to snow in the evening, can you have a drink? My brothers, I have warmed up the wine and have been waiting for you for a long time. Please dismount and drink with me, how about it?"

Everyone stared ahead and saw a newly built pavilion not far away. Li Chengqian, wearing a white embroidered brocade robe, a golden crown with carved flowers on his head, a jade belt around his waist, and a white cotton cape with a mink tie, sat in the pavilion and smiled at everyone. Behind him, the Deng brothers stood with swords in hand.

When everyone saw Li Chengqian, they all laughed and dismounted. Li Chengqian picked up a glass of wine and said seriously.

"My brothers have fought for our Tang Dynasty in the Western Regions and expanded our territory by thousands of miles. You have devoted all your energy and risked your lives for my trust. Now that I have returned with success, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you brothers. Please accept my greetings." He then raised the cup and bowed.

Li Dejian and others immediately put one hand on their chest, knelt on one knee and saluted seriously.

"We pledge our loyalty to the Tang Dynasty and are willing to die for our lord/commander."

Li Chengqian hurriedly helped everyone up and said with a smile.

"Today, there are only brothers who share life and death, not a ruler or a subject. Why should you be so polite, brothers?"

"Hehe, who was polite first? If the prince wants to talk about 'courtesy', then we can only follow his lead and happily obey him." Yuchi Baolin snorted.

"That's right. Dalang has to do this to his own brother. Is it interesting?" Cheng Huailiang also said contemptuously.

"Okay, I was wrong, okay. Seeing you come back after so much hard work, I was filled with emotion. I wanted to thank you very much, but who would have thought that none of you would know how to appreciate my kindness." Li Chengqian scolded with a smile. Everyone laughed and sat down, then toasted each other and savored the delicious food.

"Da Lang, I heard from Hong Liang (Cheng Huailiang's pen name) that you married three wives at your wedding. On your wedding night, you satisfied five princesses in one night. Yiyeliucilang, I heard that you couldn't get out of bed the next day? Tsk tsk. You are really brave, I admire you." Li Dejian said in amazement.

"Cheng Xiaolangzi, you son of a bitch, how can you tell anyone anything? And this young master is so strong and vigorous, how could he not get out of bed.

Besides, you just married my sister Qinghe the year before last. How can you say that about your brother-in-law? If it weren't for Brother Dejian, how could you learn to be so dishonest? " Li Chengqian said anxiously. In the seventh year of Zhenguan, Cheng Huailiang was ordered to marry Li Jing, the eleventh daughter of Emperor Taizong of Tang.

"Tsk, was I wrong? I don't know who was rubbing his waist the next day. Hey, I said Yuchi is a foodie, please leave some mutton for me." Cheng Huailiang glanced at Li Chengqian and said, then he competed with Yuchi Baolin for the mutton.

"Hey, look at the way you two eat. One is the newly promoted Marquis Dingyuan, and the other is the newly promoted Marquis Huaiyuan. Can you please have some shame? I really don't want to admit that I know you two." Qin Huaiyu sighed, holding his head.

"This time I wrote to my father to ask for merit for you. My father issued an edict to confer the title of Duke of Gaochang County on Dejian, the title of Marquis of Dingyuan on Hongliang, the title of Marquis of Huaiyuan on Yuanyu (Yuchi Baolin's courtesy name), and the title of Marquis of Wuyuan on Huaiyu (Qin Huaiyu's alias, courtesy name Huaiyu). Uncle Luo Song insisted on not accepting the title.

Except for brother Dejian who was promoted to the position of Taiwei of the Prince's Palace, the other official positions have not changed. It's really a pity for you. Especially brother Dejian and brother Yuanyu, who were supposed to be dukes, but now they can only be county dukes and county marquises. "Li Chengqian sighed.

"It doesn't matter. The title of Duke of E will be left to my brother Baoqing. Although I, the Marquis of Huaiyuan, cannot compare to the Duke of E, I earned it with my own sword and spear. It's a comfortable position for me." Yuchi Baolin waved his hand and said indifferently.

"That's right. Dalang, there is no need to blame yourself. Dalang is right when he said, a real man should seek fame and honor right away, instead of just waiting for favors from predecessors." Li Dejian said indifferently.

After chatting and laughing for a while and drinking a few cups, they went home to see their families. A few days later, Luo Song arrived with the Flying Dragon Army, the Black Tortoise Army and the Flying Wing Archer Cavalry.

Li Chengqian held a banquet in the military camp to reward the soldiers of the three armies. Li Chengqian, Luo Song, Li Dejian and others were toasted by the soldiers of the three armies in turn, and they all accepted the toasts and finally got drunk.

Luo Song was drunk and was carried back to Duke Xu's mansion. Li Chengqian and Li Dejian walked back with their arms around each other. Li Chengqian was already drunk and unconscious when he returned to the mansion.

On the afternoon of the second day, Li Chengqian had just sobered up and felt dizzy and had a splitting headache. He felt his throat burning, closed his eyes, frowned, and spoke.

"Get me some water, damn it, these bastards are trying to get me drunk to death."

Su Wan'er handed him a glass of water, and Li Chengqian drank it all in one gulp, instantly feeling much better. He opened his eyes and saw Su Wan'er, Ashina Zhen, Ashina Yun, Li Ling'er, Qu Jingwen and other five girls, surrounding the bed, looking at him and laughing with strange expressions.

"Ladies, your smiles are not kind. I feel insecure. I drank too much yesterday and I am still drunk. Ladies, even if you want, you have to wait until night. It's not appropriate to do it in broad daylight. It won't sound good if it's publicized." Li Chengqian pulled the quilt and said with an exaggerated expression. All the ladies blushed and complained.

"Husband, do you still remember what happened last night?" Su Wan'er said with a smile.

"I have drunk too much. Please give me some advice, madam." Li Chengqian bowed.

"Go, husband, be serious. You said that our smiles were not kind, but what you did last night was truly not kind." Su Wan'er said with a smile.

"Why, whose house did I set on fire?" Li Chengqian asked casually.

"Husband remembers?" Su Wan'er asked in surprise.

"Oh my god, I really lit up someone's house. Whose house did I light up?" This time it was Li Chengqian's turn to be surprised.

"Duke Zheng." Ashina Yun said with a smile. Li Chengqian rubbed his head and gradually remembered what happened last night.

Last night, Li Chengqian and Yuchi Baolin were drunk and walked back together. Somehow, they walked to the residence of Duke of Zheng Wei Zheng. Yuchi Baolin saw Wei Zheng's house and said that Wei Zheng was always looking for faults. He even complained about his father two days ago. His temper was as stubborn as a stone in a toilet. The others nodded in agreement.

The more they talked, the angrier they got. Li Chengqian was so angry that he said to burn down the old man's house. As a result, they really did what they said and set fire to the Duke of Zheng's mansion. When they saw the fire, they woke up instantly and fled in all directions. Cheng Huailiang accidentally fell and was captured by the servants of the Duke of Zheng's mansion.

Just when Li Chengqian was worried about what happened yesterday, Li Shimin's personal palace servant came to summon Li Chengqian to the palace. Li Chengqian dressed and entered the palace with a miserable look on his face.

As soon as Li Chengqian entered Ganlu Hall, he saw Wei Zheng's face full of anger, and his beard was slightly burned off by the fire. Li Shimin was holding a stick in his hand, staring at him angrily. Li Shimin saw Li Chengqian coming in and yelled.

"Rebellious son, look at what you have done. If I don't give you a good beating today, I will not be able to quench my anger. Rebellious son, accept the beating." As he said this, Li Shimin walked down the steps with a stick in his hand and pretended to hit him.

"Wait a minute, why did my father hit me?" Li Chengqian decided to play dumb.

"Rebellious son, you and Yuchi Baolin and others got drunk last night and set fire to the mansion of Duke Zheng. You still dare to play dumb. Cheng Huailiang has already confessed and pointed out that you were the mastermind. You rebellious son, what else can you say? Just prepare to die." Li Shimin said angrily and was about to beat him again.

"Cheng Xiaoleng, you are an ungrateful guy." Li Chengqian said in a low voice. Seeing that Li Shimin had already raised the stick in his hand, he spoke hurriedly.

"Wait a minute, I wasn't the only one who set the fire last night, why did you hit me alone?" Li Chengqian decided not to be righteous anymore. Brothers share happiness and misfortune, and they should be beaten together, without missing a single one.

“Don’t worry about this, Your Highness. I have already visited Duke Yi (Qin Qiong), Duke Wei (Li Jing), Duke Lu (Cheng Zhijie) and Duke E (Yuchi Jingde) early in the morning.

All the dukes have punished the offending children. Well, the way of punishment is very pleasing to the people and the process is pleasing to the eyes. This old man is very pleased. This time I came to the palace to ask for an explanation from Your Majesty. "Wei Zheng stroked his beard and sneered.

"Rebellious son, what else do you have to say? Wait for the beating." Li Shimin said coldly.

"Wait a minute." Li Chengqian spoke again hurriedly.

"Why wait again?" Li Shimin said unhappily.

"Father, I have a way to make Duke Wei calm down and happy." Li Chengqian said.

"What method?" Li Shimin asked.

"Pay compensation." Li Chengqian said straightforwardly.

"How much money does the prince intend to compensate me?" Wei Zheng said.

"Whatever Lord Wei says is fine. I won't bargain." In order to avoid being beaten, Li Chengqian said very happily.

"Okay, I have asked the accountant to do the math. The cost is the burned houses and the exotic flowers and plants planted in the mansion. The reward is 2000 strings of cash." Wei Zheng said quickly.

"Fuck, didn't they just burn down two of your houses? They're robbing you of your money." Li Chengqian exclaimed. You know, a house with about three acres of land in Chang'an City cost 138 guan at that time. Three acres of land was more than enough to build a small villa.

"Huh?" Li Shimin glared.

"Give it to you. I'll give it to you tonight." Li Chengqian gritted his teeth.

"There is a painting of 'Spring Outing' by Zhan Ziqian in the Prince's Mansion. I have longed to see it for a long time." Wei Zheng stroked his beard and said. Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin's angry face and said with gritted teeth.

"Here, take them all."

"Then thank you very much, Your Highness. I am in a good mood now. I have decided not to pursue the matter of burning my mansion." Wei Zheng bowed and smiled. Li Chengqian looked at Wei Zheng's face with a premeditated look and couldn't help asking.

"Didn't Lord Wei expect that I would use compensation to get him to stop pursuing the matter? So did you already plan what you want?"

"Your Highness burned my house, so I am naturally very angry. But I cannot punish Your Highness, and I cannot even let Your Majesty punish Your Highness. Rain, dew, and thunder are all grace from heaven. It is not the way of a minister to commit crimes against his superiors. Your Highness should just pay some money.

However, I only wanted some money at first. The "Spring Outing" was an unexpected gift. I thank Your Highness for the gift." Wei Zheng bowed and smiled, then took his leave and left.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian gritted his teeth and said angrily, "You are so awesome, old man." Li Shimin passed by Li Chengqian and spoke lightly.

"As a prince, you have tens of millions of people under your command. Next time you want to burn his house, just arrange someone else to do it. Why bother to go into battle yourself?" Li Chengqian was stunned when he heard this, and then gave a thumbs up to Li Shimin's back.

"You are still cruel." It seemed that Li Shimin was angry with Wei Zheng.

How can I describe Wei Zheng? He was called "a famous prime minister" by later generations. He was outstanding in both ability and character. However, he often made direct and fierce remarks, which made Li Shimin lose face many times, and made Li Shimin so angry that he jumped up and cursed when no one was around.

Once, after Li Shimin returned to the palace from court, he angrily said to his wife, "I will find an opportunity to kill that country bumpkin in the future!" Empress Changsun asked, "Who angered Your Majesty?" Li Shimin replied, "Wei Zheng often humiliated me in court." Empress Changsun faced her furious husband. She neither went along with the flow and incited him, nor did she obey him and keep silent.

She did a strange thing, temporarily ignoring her husband, retreating to the inner room, changing into formal court clothes, and then walked up to her husband to congratulate him. Li Shimin was very surprised and asked his wife what her intention was.

Empress Changsun smiled and replied, "I have heard that when the monarch is enlightened, the ministers are upright. Now Wei Zheng is upright and outspoken because of your majesty's enlightenment. How can I not congratulate him!" Taizong turned his anger into joy and paid more attention to Wei Zheng. This incident not only showed the virtue of Empress Changsun Wugou, but also showed how powerful Wei Zheng was in speaking out against the emperor.

That night, the servants of the Wei Mansion carried away two large boxes of money from the Prince's Mansion, and also took away the "Spring Outing". Li Chengqian felt very distressed when he saw this, and kept thinking about finding an opportunity to burn his 2000 strings of cash.