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

It is said that Yi Hyogong, Silla's Supan Kim Yu-sin, and Sangdae Kim Chunchu escorted Buyeo Uiji and Baekje's ministers all the way to Pyongyang City.

At this time, the reconstruction of Pyongyang City had already begun. After obtaining the consent of Li Shimin, Li Chengqian ordered the Goguryeo surrendered troops and his soldiers to help the people of the former Goguryeo, now the Tang Dynasty's Pyongyang City, rebuild their homes.

Li Shimin and Li Chengqian also moved into the former Goguryeo Palace, which is now Li Shimin's temporary palace. It is planned to be converted into the palace of Goryeo King Li Ke after Li Shimin leaves.

The former people of Goguryeo were grateful to the Tang Dynasty for being friendly and helping them rebuild their homes, and they praised the father and son of the Li family and sang their praises of their virtues.

Li Shimin and Li Chengqian learned that Li Xiaogong and others had escorted Buyeo Yici and Baekje ministers from the Silla royal capital, Ungjin Castle, to offer captives. Li Shimin was overjoyed and ordered Li Chengqian to go out of the city to welcome them.

When Li Chengqian arrived at the city gate, he saw from afar Li Xiaogong, Silla's Supan Kim Yuxin, and Sangdae Kim Chunchu, riding horses with their guards. A slightly wider carriage followed behind them, and the Baekje ministers followed on foot under the supervision of the guards.

When Li Xiaogong saw Li Chengqian, he hurriedly dismounted and bowed to greet him.

"I, the Prince of Hejian, Deputy Governor of Pingdong, and Chief of the Pyongyang Road Army, Li Xiaogong, pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Haha, the war god of our Li family's royal family has finally arrived. My father and I have been looking forward to seeing you. Why should you be so polite, uncle?" Li Chengqian laughed and helped Li Xiaogong up.

When the people of Silla saw that the person in front of them was the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, they quickly dismounted from their horses and knelt down in greeting.

"I, a lowly servant of Silla, pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Celestial Empire. I wish His Royal Highness longevity and good health." Li Chengqian smiled and helped everyone up one by one, and consoled them in a gentle voice.

When Baekje Crown Prince Buyeo Ui-ji and Baekje ministers saw Li Chengqian, they also knelt down and saluted.

"A guilty minister of Baekje pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Celestial Empire." Li Chengqian smiled and supported the people of Baekje.

When Fuyu Yici knelt down to pay respect to Li Chengqian, his eyes revealed a subtle resentment and resentment. Li Chengqian took in Fuyu Yici's look and smiled evilly. Zhuge Fu beside him was stunned when he saw this, and then smiled knowingly.

"My nephew Li Chengqian pays homage to my uncle. My uncle has made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty in destroying other countries. Thank you for your hard work." After pacifying the people of Silla and Baekje, Li Chengqian straightened his clothes and saluted to Li Xiaogong with the etiquette of a junior.

"Your Majesty, I am extremely humbled and fearful. I dare not accept the courtesy of the Crown Prince." When Li Xiaogong saw Li Chengqian performing the ceremony, he was so shocked that he turned sideways and bowed.

"Of course, uncle, why do you have to be so polite to me? I still remember that when we were in the Prince of Qin's Mansion, uncle loved to tease us brothers and was very fond of us. Why is it that you are so distant now? It's not good for uncle to be like this." Li Chengqian said with a smile while holding Li Xiaogong's hand.

"Yes, more than ten years have passed in a flash. At that time, Dalang was very small and he could not speak clearly and called me uncle when he saw me. Now Dalang has grown up to be handsome and elegant, and has become the Holy Prince of our Tang Dynasty and the invincible god of war. But I, uncle, am old now." Li Xiaogong smiled and stroked his beard.

"Haha, uncle, why should you be so modest. Come, follow me into the city. Father is waiting for you in the palace." Li Chengqian took Li Xiaogong's hand and they rode towards Li Shimin's palace together, with everyone following closely behind them.

The group arrived at Li Shimin's palace. When Li Xiaogong saw Li Shimin was about to kneel on one knee to salute, Li Shimin laughed and took two quick steps to stop Li Xiaogong from saluting.

"Brother Wang, there is no need to be so polite. I was very happy to hear that you were coming."

"Your Majesty, the people from foreign vassal states are here, so etiquette cannot be abolished." Li Xiaogong said with a smile, then knelt on one knee.

"I, the Prince of Hejian, Deputy Governor of Pingdong, and Chief of the Pyongyang Road Army, Li Xiaogong, pay my respects to Your Majesty. I am wearing armor and cannot perform the full ceremony. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Historically, Li Xiaogong was a talented person with both civil and military talents. Not only did he have outstanding abilities, but more importantly, he was also very low-key.

"Brother Wang, you are too cautious. Get up quickly. You helped me build half of the Tang Dynasty back then, and you are the brother I rely on the most. Brother and I are brothers from the same ancestors, so why should we be so formal?" Li Shimin scolded, and Li Xiaogong smiled and nodded.

"We, the lowly subjects of Silla, a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty, Kim Yu-shin/Kim Chun-chu, pay our respects to His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Celestial Empire. We wish Your Majesty good health and a long life." Kim Yu-shin and Kim Chun-chu knelt down and saluted. Li Shimin smiled and helped them up, then looked at Buyeo Ui-ji.

"Buyeo Ui-ji, a guilty minister of Baekje, pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Celestial Empire. Baekje was bewitched by the traitor Yeon Gaesomun of Goguryeo and failed to investigate the matter, thus offending the majesty of the Great Tang. I hope the Saint will forgive us." Buyeo Ui-ji hurriedly knelt down and said.

"Oh? You are the Baekje Prince Buyeo Uiji? Your father, Baekje King Wu, was frightened to death by my Tang army, and Baekje was destroyed by my Tang army's attack on the royal city. Don't you hate me?" Li Shimin stroked his beard and squinted his eyes.

"I dare not. Baekje is like an ant trying to shake a tree with an egg against a rock. This is an offense to the majesty of heaven. It is the fault of Baekje and of me and my son. I beg Your Majesty to consider that Baekje has been loyally serving the Tang Dynasty for many years. Please let Baekje go. Baekje is willing to be loyal to the Tang Dynasty for generations and will never have any second thoughts." Buyeo Yici knelt down and bowed his head.

"Oh? According to you, my Tang Dynasty should release you Baekje and let you go back to ascend the throne and become king?" Li Chengqian sneered.

"Your Majesty, you can't do this. Baekje has evil ambitions and helped Goguryeo's traitor Yeon Gaesomun to invade Silla in order to conspire against the Tang Dynasty. People with such evil intentions must not restore their country." Kim Yu-shin and Kim Chun-chu knelt down hurriedly after hearing Buyeo Ui-je's words.

"You must be joking. The Tang Dynasty promised Silla that it would divide Goguryeo and Baekje after the war. Now that Baekje has been restored, there is nothing left for Silla to divide up." Kim Yu-shin and Kim Chun-chu thought at the same time.

"Hehe, Prince of Baekje, my Tang army crossed the ocean and suffered countless casualties to destroy your Baekje. You restored your country with just one sentence, wouldn't my Tang soldiers have died in vain? I have just conferred the title of Duke of Lintun County on Gao Ao, the fourth prince of Goguryeo, and now I will confer the title of Duke of Zhenfan County on you. You can go to Chang'an with Gao Ao to enjoy a peaceful life." Li Shimin sneered, stroking his beard.

Fuyu Yici wanted to say something more, but when he saw Li Chengqian and Li Xiaogong standing behind Li Shimin, both holding their swords and glaring at him, he had no choice but to give up and thank him. Li Shimin laughed and arranged a banquet for everyone.

During the banquet, Kim Yu-shin and Kim Chun-chu asked Li Shimin to divide the land of Goguryeo and Baekje to Silla as agreed. Li Shimin pretended to be drunk and asked the two to consult Li Chengqian. The two asked Li Chengqian to keep his promise for several days. Li Chengqian was annoyed and finally said impatiently.

"Our Great Tang conquered Goguryeo and Baekje, which is a great military achievement. Moreover, our Great Tang saint is here. Your Silla, as a vassal state of our Great Tang, did not come to pay tribute in person. This is very rude.

Besides, how can you, the ministers, decide the border between the two countries? Let your Queen Seondeok come." Kim Yu-shin and Kim Chun-chu had no choice but to write to Queen Seondeok of Silla at night.

After receiving the letter, Queen Seondeok hurried to Pyongyang with her cousin Kim Seungman (the future Queen Jindeok) and the congratulatory gifts. When Queen Seondeok arrived in Pyongyang, she hurriedly asked to see Li Shimin, who ordered him and Li Chengqian to meet Queen Seondeok and her cousin Kim Seungman in the temporary palace.

Queen Seondeok and her cousin Kim Seungman walked into the palace in their best attire and saw Lee Seonmin sitting on the throne. Queen Seondeok knelt down hastily.

"Queen Kim Deokman/Princess Kim Seungman of the vassal state of Silla pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Celestial Empire." Li Shimin asked the two to stand up.

Li Chengqian looked at the two people in front of him. He saw that Jin Deman was about 25 years old, with a beautiful face, and had been the king of Silla for many years, with a queen-like aura. Jin Shengman was about 20 years old, beautiful, seven feet tall, and his arms were like Liu Bei, reaching down to his knees.

(During the Goryeo Dynasty, the Goryeo historian Kim Bu-shik's "Samguk Sagi" recorded: "Shengman was beautiful, seven feet tall, with her hands hanging down to her knees." One foot in the Tang Dynasty is equivalent to 30.7cm today, so seven feet is more than 2.3 meters. This is a female giant, but according to the Koreans' usual exaggeration, love to brag about their own nation, and extremely shameless style, the author expressed doubts.)

Li Shimin saw Li Chengqian staring at the two sisters of the Jin family, and he stroked his beard and smiled.

"I once gave the Queen a painting in the ninth year of Zhenguan. Did the Queen like it?"

In the ninth year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin sent an envoy to confer Jin Deman the title of King of Silla, Princess of Lelang, King of Silla, and appointed him as the Pillar of the State. He also sent a three-color peony painting and some peony flowers to Queen Seondeok in advance.

After seeing the flowers, Queen Seondeok threw them aside and said that real flowers would not smell good if they were delivered, so they could just plant them randomly. The result was exactly what happened. When the ministers asked how she knew this, Queen Seondeok replied: Since ancient times, how can you paint flowers without butterflies? Flowers without butterflies are not the Tang Emperor making fun of me for not having a partner, and ruling the country with hidden virtues. (This really happened in history) I didn't expect that the great "Heavenly Khan" would be so bored and have nothing to do to make fun of the ruler of a family country.

Queen Seondeok's face darkened when she heard this, but then she smiled again.

"Your Majesty gave it to me, and I am very pleased with it. I have hung it in my study and admire it every day."

"Fuck, what a great actor." Li Chengqian sighed in a low voice.

"I am here, firstly, to congratulate my emperor on the expansion of his territory, and secondly, to hope that the Tang Dynasty will fulfill its promise and divide the lands of Goguryeo and Baekje to Silla." Queen Seondeok said with a smile.

"I have handed this matter over to the Crown Prince for full handling. The Queen can discuss it with the Crown Prince slowly. There is no rush. I would like to ask the Queen if your sister is married." Li Shimin said with a smile, stroking his beard.

"Never married." Queen Seondeok said in surprise.

"So, Jin Shengman, let me ask you, are you willing to marry my Prince Li Tang as a concubine?" Li Shimin said with a smile.

"Wait, why are you looking for a wife for me out of the blue?" Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin suspiciously, only to see a hint of cunning in Li Shimin's smile.

Li Chengqian thought about it and instantly understood Li Shimin's intention, then grinned. He secretly gave Li Shimin a thumbs up and thought.

"Hehe. Old man, you are still the one who is scheming. A marriage requires a dowry. Big tall sister, I'm sorry, I can only sacrifice you temporarily for the benefit of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Chengqian then said sincerely.

"Father, when I saw Kim Seung-man, I fell in love with her at first sight. I hope the queen will grant my wish." Upon hearing this, Kim Seung-man blushed and lowered her head. Queen Seondeok was confused, and when she saw that Li Shimin had granted the marriage, she had to agree first.

"Okay, in that case, I will go back and rest first. Jin Shengman, you should also go back and prepare quickly, and then come back to Chang'an with me and the prince to choose a day to get married." After Li Shimin finished speaking, he left the hall, and Jin Shengman also said goodbye and went back to prepare.

"Prince, how will the land of Silla that you promised to give me be divided and when will it be fulfilled?" asked Queen Seondeok.

"The Queen is anxious. I heard that the Queen is still unmarried, is it true?" Li Chengqian said with a playful smile.

"Yes, but this is my private matter. Your Highness, please talk about official business." Queen Seondeok said coldly.

"Ah, Queen, why do you look so angry? I am just chatting with you. Since you want to talk about business, I will talk to you." Li Chengqian looked like he was giving in. Queen Seondeok said with a frown on her face.

"Please tell me how to divide Goguryeo and Baekje."

"Well, this is what I think. Goguryeo was conquered by my Tang army alone, and Baekje was conquered by our two countries together. So this is what I think." Li Chengqian said seriously, then paused.

"The Queen, don't you feel lonely and cold when you have no one to accompany you?"

Queen Seondeok was really listening and continued casually.

"Well, sometimes I feel quite empty and lonely."

"Hey! Prince, didn't we agree to talk about business? Why are you asking about my private life again? Please respect yourself, Prince." Queen Seondeok reacted immediately and said dissatisfiedly.

"Well, I think that Silla did not participate in the actual battle with Goguryeo, but only wanted to be involved. So I think that one-fourth of Goguryeo's land close to Silla should be divided to Silla. As for Baekje." Li Chengqian continued seriously, and then paused again.

"Has the Queen ever thought of finding a man?"

"I've thought about it, but found no suitable one. Prince, I beg you to stop making trouble and talk about state affairs, okay?" Queen Seondeok replied casually, then covered her head and shouted.

"Well, Baekje was conquered by both countries, and half of the territory close to Silla will be given to you. What do you think, Queen?" Li Chengqian said seriously.

Queen Seondeok was stunned for a while after hearing this, then spoke uncertainly.

"Your Highness, have you finished speaking? Are you going to stop asking about my private affairs?"

"Hey! I'm talking to you about serious business. Be serious." Li Chengqian said with an unhappy look on his face.

"I think this division is very appropriate. I wonder when the above-mentioned land will be allocated to my Silla." Queen Seondeok said happily.

"As long as the Queen is satisfied, as for the timing. Does the Queen prefer warriors or scholars?" Li Chengqian said.

"There is someone like the Crown Prince who is both civil and military. Crown Prince, please don't play tricks on me anymore. I feel so upset when I talk to you." Queen Seondeok looked sad.

"Okay, okay. I didn't expect the Queen likes me. I'm really honored. There's no rush for the handover. I have a few questions for the Queen." Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"Your Highness, please ask. You will not ask about my privacy again, right?" Queen Seondeok asked vigilantly.

"No. Silla and Baekje are sworn enemies. This time Baekje occupied 13 cities of Silla at once. The Tang Dynasty sent troops to attack the Baekje royal city to save Silla and help Silla take revenge. Should Silla thank the Tang Dynasty?" Li Chengqian asked quickly. Queen Seondeok nodded.

"Besides, your sister has been granted marriage to me, should Silla prepare a dowry?" Li Chengqian asked without hesitation. Queen Seondeok nodded in confusion.

"Third, the Queen loves me, and I can offer myself to her. Can the Queen give me some money for the night? After all, I am the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty.

How about this, the land allocated to Silla will be given to the Tang Dynasty as Silla's thank you gift and dowry. I will take a loss and give you one night. "Li Chengqian said without pause. Queen Seondeok nodded habitually, and then jumped up on the spot like a cat whose tail was stepped on.

"Prince, you have played tricks on the rulers of vassal states time and again. Is this how your Tang Dynasty treats vassal states? Prince, are you trying to force your subjects to rebel?" Queen Seondeok said angrily.

"Oh? You want to rebel? How does your Silla compare to Goguryeo and Baekje? I can destroy both countries in a snap of my fingers, and you still dare to talk about rebellion in front of me? Are you tired of living?" Li Chengqian said coldly.

"Are you trying to use your power to bully others, Prince?" Queen Seondeok asked sternly.

"So what if I bully you? I advise you to obediently offer the divided land to the Tang Dynasty as a thank-you gift and dowry, and save face for yourself. Otherwise, humph, I can even incorporate your Silla into the Tang Dynasty." Li Chengqian sneered.

"You, you are going too far. I, Silla, will never agree to it." Queen Seondeok said angrily.

"Bully you? You are just a small country like Silla. I can break into your palace and ride on you inside." Li Chengqian said disdainfully.

"You, you are shameless and vulgar." Queen Seondeok said in shame and anger.

"I can give you more treasures as a betrothal gift. Aren't you more than a princess or a prince now? I can ask your father to confer you the title of princess and king." Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"Prince, is it really impossible to discuss this anymore?" Queen Seondeok said unwillingly.

"There is no room for negotiation. If the queen does not agree, I will immediately order an attack on Silla on the grounds that Silla is disloyal. Also, if outsiders know what happened today, I will exterminate your Silla clan." Li Chengqian said firmly.

"Well, I obey your command. I'll take my leave." Queen Seondeok said dejectedly, then turned and left.

"Queen, don't forget our sex appointment tonight. I'll be waiting for you," Li Chengqian said loudly.

"You!" Queen Seondeok turned around and said angrily.

"What? Queen, do you dare to gamble with the fate of Silla?" Li Chengqian said with a wicked smile.

"I obey your command." Queen Seondeok agreed dejectedly and left the hall.