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

A month and a half later, in February of the twelfth year of Zhenguan, Li Chengqian and his entourage rushed back to Chang'an.

After entering Chang'an, the rest of the people returned to their respective places. Li Chengqian and Li Tai went straight to the Daming Palace.

After Li Yuan abdicated, he lived in Taiji Palace for the first few years, until he moved to Da'an Palace in the third year of Zhenguan. In the eighth year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin built Daming Palace as a "summer retreat" for the emperor.

When the two arrived at Li Yuan's bedroom, they saw Li Shimin pacing anxiously in the room. Zhangsun Wugou looked at Li Yuan's bedroom with a worried look on his face. The royal children, relatives and palace maids knelt outside the room and prayed for Li Yuan in a low voice. Li Shimin saw the two coming and waved his hand to let them in.

"Father, mother. Before I left, grandpa was still in good health. He could eat two buckets of food at every meal and drink a lot of meat and wine. Why did he suddenly become seriously ill and dying?" Li Chengqian asked anxiously.

"This, ah!" Li Shimin sighed, unable to speak. Li Chengqian was even more confused. At this moment, Sun Simiao and Ziyang Zhenren walked out of Li Yuan's bedroom with serious faces.

"Two old immortals, how is my father?" Li Shimin asked anxiously.

Sun Simiao was born in the seventh year of Datong in the Western Wei Dynasty (541 AD). He is now 98 years old, but he has a youthful face and is in good spirits. Ziyang Zhenren has lived for more than two centuries, and he can still bicker with Li Chengqian from time to time and is very lively. Li Shimin would call them old immortals when he saw them.

"Alas, Your Majesty. The Emperor retired fought on the battlefield in his early years, and later took care of state affairs, which severely depleted his energy and blood. If it weren't for Cheng Qian's painstaking efforts in recent years, constantly using rare and precious medicines to replenish the Emperor's energy and blood and regulate his body, the Emperor retired would have passed away several years ago." Immortal Zi Yang sighed.

"Old man, why are you talking so much nonsense? What happened to my grandfather?" Li Chengqian said impatiently.

"Don't be impatient, Prince. I have examined this carefully with the Immortal. The Emperor has been indulging in alcohol and sex recently, and has been having sex too frequently. I have also gone to the palace many times to persuade the Emperor, but, alas!

The emperor is addicted to alcohol and sex at this age, which has led to serious loss of qi and blood. He has also taken strong drugs many times. He is now exhausted and has been in a coma for many days. We are powerless to save him. "Sun Simiao said helplessly.

"Old man, old immortal. I beg you, please find a way to save my grandfather. You are immortals, there must be a way. Li Chengqian kowtows to you."

Li Chengqian was so anxious that he wanted to kneel down and kowtow when he thought about his grandfather who loved him so much was about to leave. Li Tai was also anxious to kneel down and kowtow. At this time, Li Yuan's weak voice suddenly came from Li Yuan's bedroom.

"Are Gao Ming and Qing Que back? Come in quickly and let grandfather see them."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin and his two sons looked at Master Zi Yang and Sun Simiao in surprise.

"This is the last moment of the Emperor's life. Your Majesty, Crown Prince, King of Wei, this may be the last time you see the Emperor." Sun Simiao said solemnly, and Master Zi Yang also closed his eyes and shook his head without saying a word.

The three of them were stunned when they heard this, then they lifted up their skirts with sad faces and hurried into Li Yuan's bedroom.

In the dormitory, Li Yuan was leaning against the head of the bed, and a young and beautiful woman was crying beside him.

"Grandfather, Qingque is back. Grandfather, nothing can happen to you." Li Tai threw himself in front of Li Yuan and burst into tears.

"Hey, why are you crying? Grandfather is fine. Grandfather knew you were back, so he specially left you your favorite cakes." Li Yuan smiled and stroked Li Tai's head, and then asked the woman beside him to bring the cakes. Li Tai took the cakes and cried so hard that he couldn't swallow them.

"Eat it. Isn't Qingque's favorite? Eat more." Li Yuan said with a kind smile. Li Tai cried while eating the cake. After eating two bites, he burst into tears again.

"Don't worry, grandpa. I will send people to visit famous doctors and order them to spend a lot of money to buy good medicine. I will definitely make grandpa better." Li Chengqian said with tears in his eyes and forced a smile.

"Haha, Gao Ming is still the most filial. No need, grandfather knows that his time has come and there is no cure. In my life, I have fought on the battlefield, competed with other heroes for supremacy in the Central Plains, and established the eternal foundation of our Tang Dynasty.

But what I am most proud of in this life is that I have a son who is a wise and powerful sage king, and an even more outstanding grandson. I will have no regrets even if I die.

Erlang, your father's life span has come to an end and I can no longer look after you. When your father leaves, Erlang, please take care of yourself in the future. Don't let your father and your mother worry about you in the afterlife." Li Yuan said with a smile.

"Father, why do you say that? I haven't been your son enough. I still want to continue serving you. How can you bear to abandon me?" Li Shimin cried bitterly.

"Erlang, life and death are determined by fate. There is no one who can live forever in this world. Erlang, you are the son of my Li family and the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. It is not proper for you to cry like a little girl. Don't cry anymore. Your father will not be pleased." Li Yuan frowned and said. Hearing this, Li Shimin turned around and covered his face and cried softly.

"Gao Ming, come here to grandpa." Li Yuan waved his hand and called Li Chengqian. Li Chengqian walked to Li Yuan, knelt down and held Li Yuan's hand.

"That's brilliant. At the tender age of twenty, you have already begun to expand the territory for the Tang Dynasty and helped your father build the Tang Dynasty into a prosperous era. Grandfather is very pleased to have a grandson like you.

Gao Ming, after grandfather is gone, you must be filial to your parents and be friendly to your brothers. Only in this way can grandfather rest in peace in the afterlife. Grandfather only regrets that he could not see the birth of your other children, but grandfather and your grandmother will surely protect your children in the afterlife. "Li Yuan smiled weakly.

After Li Yuan finished speaking, he suddenly laughed out loud.

"Haha, bring some wine." Li Shimin took the wine handed over by the palace servant, knelt on the ground and presented it to Li Yuan with both hands. Li Yuan took the wine glass and laughed.

"Think of me, Li Yuan. I was just a governor of Taiyuan in the previous dynasty. It happened that Emperor Yang was cruel and the world was in chaos. I raised a three-foot sword, raised an army of righteousness to conquer the world, defeated all the heroes in the world, and founded the eternal foundation of the Tang Dynasty. Life is like this, what else can I ask for. How painful and happy, haha." After saying this, Li Yuan drank the wine in the glass. Then he fell on the bed and murmured.

"Ahui (Li Yuan's first wife, Li Shimin's mother, Empress Taimu Dou Hui), you have waited for me for so many years, and I have missed you for so many years. Today I am here, and we are finally reunited."

After saying this, Li Yuan closed his eyes and died with a smile. Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, ended his glorious life in this way.

When Li Shimin, Li Chengqian and Li Tai saw Li Yuan's death, they all knelt on the ground and cried loudly. When the people outside the palace heard that Li Yuan had passed away, they also burst into tears, and many fainted from crying.

The bell of the emperor's death rang in the palace. When the officials and people outside the palace heard that Li Yuan had passed away, they knelt down facing the palace and cried.

On the tenth day of the second month of the twelfth year of the Zhenguan reign, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan, died in Daming Palace due to a serious illness. He was posthumously named Emperor Taiwu and given the temple name Gaozu, and was buried in Xianling. The news of Gaozu's death spread throughout the Tang Dynasty, and the people of the Tang Dynasty were all in grief upon hearing the news.

Li Shimin was so sad about Li Yuan's departure that he fainted. Zhangsun Wugou suppressed his grief and took people to take care of Li Shimin. Li Chengqian had no choice but to walk out of Li Yuan's bedroom in grief and summon officials from three provinces and six ministries to prepare for the funeral.

While waiting for the officials to arrive, Chang Sun Chong walked over and said sadly.

"Dalang, please accept my condolences. My uncle has fainted from grief. The funeral of the retired emperor still needs you, the crown prince, to take care of it. Dalang, please take care of your health."

"Cousin, Changle is pregnant. She will surely be very sad once our grandfather passes away. Cousin, you must take good care of Changle and make sure nothing happens to her." Li Chengqian said sadly.

"By the way, I just heard from the two old immortals that my grandfather died due to his recent indulgence in alcohol and sex and excessive sexual intercourse, which led to a serious loss of qi and blood. Also, what about the tiger and wolf medicine? Who gave it to him?" Li Chengqian suddenly remembered the cause of Li Yuan's death and asked with a frown.

"Wait a moment. I'll go check it out." Chang Sun Chong was stunned, then frowned in confusion and turned around to investigate.

It was already evening when Li Chengqian and other ministers discussed the process and details of Li Yuan's funeral. Li Chengqian was having dinner when he saw Chang Sunchong coming in with a box. Li Chengqian waved his hand.

"Cousin, come and eat with me." Chang Sun Chong walked over, looked at the food on the table, turned back and cursed angrily.

"Who is responsible for the prince's meals? You, a bunch of ignorant slaves, are feeding the prince this? Are you going to die? Do you want the Royal Guards to teach you a lesson?" There was only a bowl of porridge and a plate of pickles on the table. The palace servants in the palace knelt down and trembled in fear when they heard this.

"Oh, don't blame the palace maid. This is my request. How can I have an appetite to eat? Go away." Li Chengqian sighed. Upon hearing this, the palace maid hurriedly retreated as if she had been pardoned.

"You can't just eat these. Well, your sister knows that you must be extremely sad about the death of the emperor, and you have to take care of the national mourning for the emperor. Your sister specifically asked me to bring you some of your favorite dishes.

Eat it, Changle made it for you personally despite her grief." Chang Sunchong said as he took out a few dishes from the box.

"Hey, it has to be Changle. By the way, how is the investigation going?" Li Chengqian said while picking up a bite of food.

"Well, this girl's name is Jin Xiyue, and she's a Baekje girl that the emperor has recently fallen in love with. She's the one who cried in the emperor's bedroom that day.

In order to please the emperor and get pregnant, this woman drank and had fun with him day and night. She even bewitched him into taking poisonous drugs." Chang Sun Chong said.

"Where did the woman come from?" Li Chengqian asked with a frown.

"After Buyeo Yici arrived in Chang'an, she found an opportunity to present several Baekje women to her uncle. Her uncle originally wanted them to serve the retired emperor.

Originally she was quite well behaved. But not long after you left, this woman managed to climb onto the emperor's bed. She used all kinds of tricks to win his favor and was named his wife. "Chang Sun Chong said.

"Humph, Buyeo Yici." Li Chengqian sneered. Li Chengqian completely hated Buyeo Yici because of Li Yuan's death.

"Is this girl pregnant with a dragon seed?" Li Chengqian asked with narrowed eyes.

"No, what's wrong." When Chang Sun Chong saw Li Chengqian's appearance, he felt cold all over for no reason.

“Since Grandfather loved this girl so much when he was alive, let her go down and continue to serve Grandfather.

Come, pass on this order from the Crown Prince. The Emperor was very fond of Madam Jin Xiyue when he was alive, and was reluctant to let her go before he passed away. Madam Jin also expressed to me many times that she was willing to follow the Emperor to the grave and continue to serve him.

Now I am touched by his sincerity and have decided to comply with his wishes. When the emperor enters the mausoleum, his wife Jin Xiyue will be buried with him. "Li Chengqian gave the order coldly. A palace maid outside the palace took the order and left.

"Da Lang, isn't it a bit too much? After all, it's a human life." Chang Sun Chong frowned and said.

"Humph, human life? My grandfather is already old, and this bitch actually gave him a poisonous drug in order to conceive a dragon seed. I didn't kill her entire clan, which is already a mercy.

My grandfather was the emperor, and she tried so hard to get pregnant with a dragon seed. Why did she do so? And why did she try so hard to climb onto my grandfather's dragon bed when I was not in Chang'an?

Humph, it's just that Buyeo Yici knew that the Japanese wanted to assassinate me in Goryeo, and he had some plans. And I guess, in his imagination: if I was killed in Goryeo, my brother would be blamed, and my father would be furious. My mother would also vent her anger on my brother, and thus instigate my father to depose my brother.

With my brother's current power, he will not accept this injustice and will most likely rise up in rebellion. Even if he does not revolt, the Koreans will be afraid that my father will be angry with them because of my death, causing panic among the people.

At this time, Buyeo Yici and Yuan Jingtu raised their arms and called for the restoration of the two countries. In this way, the Tang Dynasty would fall into war.

Moreover, if I were assassinated, my father would be extremely sad and even seriously ill. Jin Xiyue could then take advantage of my father's grief and inability to handle state affairs and persuade my grandfather to regain power.

The crown prince was killed, and the succession to the throne was undecided. Wouldn't the child she gave birth to have the opportunity to covet the throne? Even if she couldn't become the emperor, she could still disrupt the court to a certain extent.

Now, do you still think I shouldn't kill her?" Li Chengqian analyzed in a cold voice.

"Hearing your analysis, it seems that he is truly vicious and his actions are sinister. Fortunately, Dalang is safe, otherwise the Tang Dynasty would be in danger. But they still underestimated Dalang." After hearing this, Chang Sun Chong broke out in a cold sweat and said with fear.

“Humph, they not only underestimated me, but also my grandfather, my father, and my mother, and even more so, the wise men in the imperial court of the Great Tang Dynasty.

My grandfather was a great ruler, how could he be easily deceived by a foxy woman? My father was an emperor of all ages, even if I died, he would suppress his grief and would not let the Tang Dynasty fall into chaos. My mother was a virtuous queen, how could she vent her anger on others for no reason?

Besides, our Great Tang now has many wise men gathered together, far more than any other dynasty. Can they just sit and watch the civil strife in the Great Tang?

Fuyu Yici's idea is good, but it is impossible." Li Chengqian said disdainfully.

"Da Lang, when it comes to scheming and plotting, you are the best in the world." Chang Sun Chong sighed.

"Are you praising me?" Li Chengqian asked uncertainly.

"Be more confident, I'm just praising you. Really." Chang Sun Chong nodded in confirmation.

"But why does it feel so awkward?" Li Chengqian frowned.

"Don't worry about the details. Go to bed early after eating. You will have a lot of things to do tomorrow." Chang Sun Chong said seriously.

On the second day, Li Chengqian and the ministers once again discussed and made detailed plans for Li Yuan's funeral. After waking up, Li Shimin also dragged his weak body to participate in the discussion.

He also issued an edict, saying that he was too grief-stricken to personally handle the funeral of the retired emperor, and ordered the crown prince to take full responsibility. Li Chengqian proposed that Jin Xiyue be buried alive with him, and Li Shimin and the ministers did not object.

The ministers were only slightly surprised by Jin Xiyue's burial, but they didn't take it seriously. No one would offend Li Shimin and Li Chengqian at this time for a Baekje woman.

After the discussion on Li Yuan's state funeral was over, Li Chengqian and officials from the Ministry of Rites were busy with the state funeral. Under Li Chengqian's arrangement, the Tang Dynasty held a grand state funeral for Li Yuan.

On the day of Li Yuan's funeral, all the civil and military officials and Li Yuan's relatives came to see him off, and many Chang'an citizens also spontaneously formed a team to attend Li Yuan's funeral. The huge funeral procession numbered nearly 100,000 people.

After arriving at the mausoleum, a grand burial ceremony was held and all the burial objects were properly placed. At the same time, the carriages that transported Li Yuan's coffin were also buried in the tomb.

Jin Xiyue was also wearing mourning clothes. No matter how she cried and how unwilling she was, she was eventually pushed into the tomb by the Jinyiwei and buried alive.