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

After Li Shimin and his party stayed in Goryeo for half a month, Li Ke's family and Shan De's mother and son accompanied Li Shimin and his party back to Chang'an along the northern border of the Tang Dynasty.

In the spring of the eighteenth year of Zhenguan, Li Chengqian prepared to ascend the throne and become emperor as agreed.

At the beginning of the 17th year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin ordered the Palace Province to prepare things for the new emperor to ascend the throne.

On March 10, the 18th year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin ordered the Secretariat to draft the abdication edict, which was reviewed by the Ministry of Personnel. Li Shimin affixed his imperial seal and ordered Zhangsun Wuji to go to the Prince's Mansion to read the edict.

Zhangsun Wuji, holding the imperial edict in his hand, went to the Prince's Mansion with the eunuchs of the Palace Department to read the abdication edict. After receiving the news early in the morning, the Prince's Mansion set up an incense table in the courtyard, and everyone in the mansion wore gorgeous new clothes. Li Chengqian and his concubines and children were waiting in the courtyard in court robes.

Changsun Wuji arrived at the gate of the Prince's Mansion and said loudly.

"The imperial edict has arrived. The prince should step forward to receive it."

"Your Highness, I am the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, the Minister of Chancellery, and the General of Heavenly Strategy, Li Chengqian. I kneel to receive the Emperor's sacred decree." Li Chengqian knelt on both knees and bowed his head. Everyone in the Crown Prince's Mansion followed suit and knelt.

Changsun Wuji opened the abdication edict and read it aloud.

"There is an imperial edict, which says (The Emperor, by the order of Heaven and Mandate, says that this system was first invented by Zhu Yuanzhang.):

Qian Dao governs the heavens, and civilization controls the calendar; the great treasure is called the throne, and the emperor is in a high position. In the past, the meritorious and brilliant people did not prosper, so they followed the etiquette of abdication and sought to test the calendar. Since the Three Dynasties, the world has been a family, and the succession of the body and the foundation has been passed down. Therefore, they can be filial to the ancestral temple, predict the longevity of the world, pass on the blessings to the descendants, and continue the prosperity.

I have received the mandate and have been entrusted with the task of saving the country from disasters and bringing peace to the country. However, I have been in power from dawn to dusk, and have been cautious in handling the affairs of state, treading on ice with a sense of responsibility. I have been working hard on various government affairs, fearing that I have failed the trust of the late emperor and the people. This has been the case for eighteen years.

Today, the Tang Dynasty is peaceful, the country is prosperous and the people are strong. This is due to the silent blessing of heaven and earth, the clan society, and the efforts of the prince and his ministers, not my own kindness.

My energy is now exhausted, I am old and tired of work, I have been thinking about material things for a long time, and I deeply seek leisure and relaxation to maintain rest and peace.

The Crown Prince Cheng Qian, a long-standing auspicious figure, has a natural talent for martial arts and a deep wisdom. Since he became the regent, he has served as the prime minister, reformed the government, appointed officials, and served as the chief minister. He has expanded the territory, made the land good, and strengthened the foundation. All nations are righteous, and the people are happy. The sundial and the latitude are in the sky, and the troops are gathered. The Chinese people are waiting and singing praises. The world is peaceful and the people are prosperous, all thanks to his efforts.

Now the throne is passed to Cheng Qian, and the relevant departments shall prepare the ceremony and confer it in due time. All the ministers, officials, governors and officials in all directions, and even the scholars and common people should all serve me respectfully to show my will.

The government should be flexible and the etiquette should be appropriate; the benefit should be to the people and justice should be preserved. If the rules and regulations are not suitable for the times, they should be changed according to the circumstances without hesitation. In the past, the founder of the Han Dynasty put an end to the chaos and made great achievements. He was supported by all the officials and was honored by the emperor. He served his father with respect and held court every five days. He was honored and called the Supreme.

I am now enjoying a peaceful and tranquil mind, calming my spirit and keeping silent, doing nothing and bowing, following the ancient rules and regulations, and using the same etiquette as the Han Dynasty. I hope that the ancestral society will be solid and the blessings will be endless; the time of heaven's blessing will be forever.

Announce it at home and abroad, let everyone know, respect it! "

"Your Majesty, I accept the imperial edict and express my gratitude." Li Chengqian stood up, bowed, and kowtowed again.

Then he stood up and took the imperial edict with both hands. Changsun Wuji bowed and smiled.

"I congratulate the Crown Prince on his ascension to the throne. The Saint has announced the abdication edict to the world. It has also been decided that the new emperor will ascend the throne on March 15th. If the Crown Prince has any further requests, please tell me, and I will do my best to handle them."

"Uncle, why must you be so polite. Even if Gao Ming becomes the emperor, he is still your nephew. Uncle, please call me Da Lang in private." Li Chengqian handed the imperial edict to Su Wan'er, held Changsun Wuji's hand and said with a smile.

"Haha, okay." Changsun Wuji stroked his beard and laughed.

Not long after seeing off Changsun Wuji, Li Chengqian and his childhood friends came to the Prince's Mansion. They smiled and bowed to Li Chengqian.

"Congratulations, Dalang, on ascending the throne and becoming emperor."

"You guys came to congratulate me but didn't even bring a gift." Li Chengqian said, and then he looked out the door. Sure enough, there was nothing there. Li Chengqian said with contempt.

"You really came here empty-handed, a bunch of stingy people, how dare you."

"You are rich enough to rival a country, and you are about to rule the Tang Dynasty. But you are still so greedy for small gains. How can you be an emperor?" Chang Sun Chong scolded with a smile.

"You bunch of killers still rely on me for your salary, and none of you even know how to give gifts to a superior like me. Well, now that the congratulations are over, please go back." Li Chengqian said dissatisfiedly.

"Look at the way he looks. He doesn't even bother to treat us to a meal." Yuchi Baolin grinned.

"So you are here to eat for free. We in the Prince's Mansion do not accept free meals." Li Chengqian said in surprise.

"Tsk, stop digging. Brothers, let's go in and see if there's anything delicious to eat and make it ourselves. Go ahead." Cheng Huailiang shouted, and everyone swarmed towards the kitchen of the Prince's Mansion.

Xue Li, Li Ke, Li Tai, Li Zhi, Li Mingda, Li Lizhi and others who were preparing to come to the door to congratulate were stunned when they saw such a scene as soon as they entered the door.

Li Ke was dumbfounded.

"The Prince's Mansion has attracted thieves? These guys are charging forward, are they trying to catch thieves?"

"I'm afraid it's not about catching the thief, but our eldest brother's kitchen is in trouble." Li Lizhi held her head and smiled bitterly.

"Oh, you are here. Look, you are sensible. Unlike this bunch of killers, they didn't bring any gifts and even looted the kitchen of my Prince's Mansion." Li Chengqian smiled as he looked at the gift lists in the hands of the crowd.

"Wow, look, Dalang actually has some wine that was tribute from the Western Regions." Li Zhen shouted.

"What? Big brother, let me go and take a look. Hey, how much is there? Take it all out and drink it. Li Zhen, don't drink it secretly." Li Ke said as he trotted towards the kitchen.

"Oh, there are bear paws too. Roast them." Yuchi Baolin shouted.

"Foodie, don't roast it, it tastes better steamed." Li Tai hurried to the kitchen.

"How shameful, how shameful. They are all royal relatives and generals in the court, but they are all acting like bandits. Hey, Cheng Xiaolengzi, I have saved that jar of osmanthus wine for a long time. Put it down." Li Chengqian looked at Cheng Huailiang holding a jar of wine and hurried forward to grab it.

"Brother, grab it." Li Mingda said excitedly, waving his little hands.

"Oh, I really can't stand it. Why are the emperor and ministers of my Tang Dynasty all like bandits? Sizi, don't learn from them. Instead, learn from your sister's kindness and virtue." Li Lizhi said contemptuously.

"Oh, our Changle was the little bully of Chang'an back then. Especially those children of prominent families, everyone was afraid of him. When did he become virtuous?" Su Wan'er walked over with a smile.

"Sister-in-law, why are you exposing my shortcomings? Look at them, you don't do anything about it." Li Lizhi shook Su Wan'er's arm and said coquettishly.

"I can't control it. I'm used to it. Just let them be." Su Wan'er said with a smile.

On March 15th of the eighteenth year of Zhenguan, Li Chengqian held a ceremony to enthronize the throne. All civil and military officials and envoys from vassal states in Beijing wore their best attire to participate in the ceremony.

All over the Tang Dynasty, lanterns and decorations were hung, and the people changed into festive clothes. Every household pasted red paper and lit firecrackers to celebrate the enthronement of the Holy Prince as emperor.

After Li Chengqian finished offering sacrifices to heaven, he returned to the palace. The palace officials had already prepared the carriage. When the auspicious time came, Li Chengqian took the imperial sedan chair to the Xuanzheng Hall. Outside the hall, all officials and envoys from various countries stood at the steps waiting.

Seeing Li Chengqian's sedan chair, everyone knelt down to pay their respects. Li Chengqian stepped down from the sedan chair and, with the help of the eunuchs, walked towards the throne step by step with a solemn look. Li Chengqian walked to the throne and stood still.

The eunuch read out the imperial edict of Li Shimin's abdication, and after reading it, Li Chengqian knelt down and saluted.

"I will obey the order of the Supreme Emperor. I will work day and night without slacking off. I will not let down the mandate of Heaven, the trust of the Supreme Emperor, or the expectations of the people of the Tang Dynasty." All the officials knelt down to receive the order.

The Minister of the Left Fang Xuanling led all the ministers and officials to the seats and said loudly: "The sacrifice ceremony is over, please ascend the throne." The ministers supported Li Chengqian to sit on the chair, and all the officials lined up first, and the steward brought the crown and robes case and the treasure case to the front.

The ministers knelt down and presented the imperial crown to the emperor, placing it on the table. Fang Xuanling, Shangshu You Pushe Du Ruhui, and Zhangsun Wuji took the imperial crown and placed it on the emperor's body.

Then Fang Xuanling and others entered the class and sang: "Arrange the class". After the class was arranged, all the ministers bowed and the music played. Then all the ministers bowed three times, stood up, and the music stopped. Then they bowed three more times, stood up, and the music stopped.

Tongzan led Fang Xuanling to the emperor's throne and sang: "Kneel, hold the hu tablet". Fang Xuanling held the hu tablet and all the officials knelt. The treasure-holding official opened the box, took out the jade treasure (the emperor's jade seal) and gave it to Fang Xuanling, who held the treasure and made a speech.

"The Emperor has ascended the throne, and we, the ministers, respectfully present the imperial seal." Then Li Chengqian's personal eunuch received the seal and put it into the box.

The Tongzan official sang: "Take your seats, bow, and stand up." All officials bowed and stood up according to the Tongzan's instructions. The Tongzan official sang again: "Return to the original position." The ceremonial officer led Fang Xuanling back to his original position from the west.

The Tongzan official then sang: "Bow, pray, pray, stand up. Hold the tablet, bow, dance three times, kneel on the left knee, kowtow three times. Shout "Long live the emperor", shout again and again, kneel on the right knee, hold out the tablet", and all the officials followed the steps sung by the Tongzan official.

After the ceremony was completed, the general chanting was performed: "Roll up the class". All officials withdrew and the ceremony was over. The emperor went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple with a group of people, presented the imperial edict and treasure, and honored the father and mother of four generations, and reported the etiquette to the state.

After that, he wore the imperial robe and crown and went to Xuanzheng Hall, and all officials presented their congratulations. Then all officials took their seats, Li Chengqian put on the imperial robe and crown and ascended the throne, and the music was played until the end.

The general opened the curtain, the eunuch held the imperial seal and placed it on the table, the Jinyiwei blew the whip, and led the civil and military officials to come in, pay their respects, and stand facing north.

The music started, and all the officials followed the guidance of the Tongzan official and performed the ritual of kneeling three times and bowing nine times. After the congratulations, Li Chengqian sat high on the throne and sent an official to lead the empress into the palace. Su Wan'er, wearing a phoenix crown and a red robe, slowly walked into the hall under the guidance of the female official.

He knelt down and saluted before Li Chengqian's throne.

"Your concubine Su pays respect to the emperor. Long live the emperor. Long live the emperor. Long live the emperor."

Li Chengqian nodded, and the eunuch took out the imperial edict and spoke loudly.

"There is an imperial edict. Crown Princess Su will receive it."

"I, the Su family, kneel down to listen to the imperial edict." Su Wan'er leaned over to the ground.

"The imperial edict said: Heaven and earth are in their proper positions, yin and yang complement each other, and human morality is based on them to guide the great ethics. The virtue of the queen matches them to bring peace to the internal order.

I believe that the virtue of the emperor is in harmony with the emperor, and the king's virtue must be spread throughout the palace. Her good reputation is passed down through history, and her motherly virtue is used as a model for the family and the country. She follows the example of the emperor to inherit the good fortune, and bestows a great reputation and corrects the position. I would like to ask your Crown Princess Su, who is the daughter of Su Tan, the governor of Yizhou and the secretary. She is a descendant of Gao Hong, and has a good family background. She is diligent and thrifty in Lanye, and shows her sincerity and filial piety in the imperial court.

The kind-hearted Zhui Si and Ju Ziqia are virtuous and fair, and the respected Zhang Hui Zhai and Ti are virtuous and prudent. They have long been renowned for their good reputations and deserve to be awarded great honors. I hereby obey your kind instructions.

I have ordered you to be crowned as the Empress. You should obey my command, protect yourself well, and spread your influence to the people of your country, and make your descendants more glorious. I hope you will be honored with the seal and sash, and live a long and prosperous life.

"I, Su, accept the imperial edict and express my gratitude." Su Wan'er bowed again to express her gratitude.

The female official helped Su Wan'er up and helped her sit down below Li Chengqian. All the officials came out to congratulate her.

Li Chengqian issued a general amnesty, releasing all those who committed crimes except treason, deceiving the emperor, and committing high treason.

Another decree was issued to confer the titles of Imperial Noble Consort on Shan De, Consort Shu on Ashina Zhen, Consort De on Ashina Yun, Consort Wen on Qu Jingwen, Consort Xian on Jin Shengman, Consort Zhaoyi on Li Linger, Consort Zhaorong on Yu Moyun, and Consort Gesang Wangmu on Zhaoyuan on Gesang Wangmu.

Li Yun was appointed as the crown prince, Xu Jingzong as the crown prince's grand tutor, Li Yao, the prince of Wujun, was appointed as the king of Wu, Li Nianchu as the king of Silla, and Li Wuhai, the prince of Jiuzhou, was appointed as the king of Jiuzhou.

All four daughters born were canonized as princesses.

Honorary titles were conferred on old ministers such as Zhangsun Wuji, and all generals and officials of the Prince's Palace Legion were given additional titles and rewards.

"I have succeeded to the throne and now issue an imperial decree.

Our Great Tang is renamed the Great Tang Empire. From now on, all imperial edicts, proclamations, war documents, etc. will be signed in the name of the Great Tang Empire.

The era name was changed to the first year of Hua Xia, and subsequent rulers no longer established new era names.

The local armies of the Tang Dynasty were changed to the Tang Dynasty Imperial Army, and the original numbers were changed to numbers, and the organization was based on the Prince's Army Corps. The Tang Dynasty Navy was changed to the Tang Dynasty Imperial Navy.

The Prince's Mansion Corps was changed to the Tang Dynasty Imperial Guards, and together with the Sixteen Guards, they belonged to the Tang Dynasty Imperial Army." Li Chengqian said.

"We, the officials, shall obey your Majesty's instructions." All the officials knelt and received the order.

At this point, Li Chengqian's ascension ceremony was completed, and Li Chengqian officially began his imperial career.

After the coronation, Li Chengqian came to Taiji Palace where Li Shimin lived to pay a visit to Li Shimin and his wife.

"I, Li Chengqian, pay my respects to my father and mother." Li Chengqian knelt down and saluted.

"Haha, Guanyin, come and look at the new emperor of our Tang Empire. How imposing is he?" Li Shimin laughed, stroking his beard.

"Dalang was born to my husband and taught by him personally. Naturally, he has a strong imperial aura and a powerful spirit." Changsun Wugou said with a smile.

"Father, mother, why are you making fun of your son? I don't want to be emperor, at least not now." Li Chengqian stood up and said with a wry smile.

Then he took off the crown and threw it aside, twisting his neck and walking towards the two of them.

"This crown is too heavy. If I wear it every day, my neck will be broken."

"You, there are so many people who want to wear it but can't, but you are the only one who is unwilling to do so and just leaves it aside casually. Do you look down on my Tang Dynasty throne so much?" Li Shimin said angrily.

"Wearing a crown means you are an emperor. Emperor is just a title. Only by benefiting the people and being respected by all people can a qualified monarch do it. It is not enough to just carry the title of emperor every day." Li Chengqian said disdainfully.

"I feel relieved that my son has this idea. Dalang will surely become a wise ruler." Li Shimin stroked his beard and smiled with satisfaction.

"Dalang, what temple name and posthumous title are you going to give to your father?" Li Shimin joked.

"Erlang, stop making trouble. Is it appropriate to bring up such things now? Erlang is in his prime, how can he have a temple name and posthumous title so early? It's too unlucky." Changsun Wugou said anxiously.

"Haha, in the past, Emperor Ming of Cao Wei gave himself the temple name Liezu while he was still alive, so why can't I do the same? Besides, this is just a joke among the three of us, so how can it be unlucky?

Guanyin maid is making a fuss out of nothing." Li Shimin laughed.

"From ancient times to the present, only Cao Rui, a weirdo, has done such a thing. Aye, don't make a fuss." Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"I just want to know what you, my son, think of me after my death. It's harmless to listen to it." Li Shimin said with a smile.

"Do you really want to know? Okay, let me think about it." Li Chengqian said after thinking for a moment.

"It's in line with the Heavenly Great Fortune, the Great Saint of Literature and Martial Arts, the Wise and the Cherished, the Filial and the Honest, the Moderate and the Respectful, the Virtuous and the Greatly Accomplished Emperor Wen. How about the temple name of Shengzu?"

"Haha, it's so long, and they're all good words. Dalang is just trying to make me happy. But I'm not worthy of the title of Holy Ancestor." Li Shimin laughed heartily.

"Father, you deserve it. It was Father who conquered the Tang Dynasty. The prosperous Zhenguan Era was unprecedented and unparalleled. Father is a sage king throughout the ages and you deserve these compliments." Li Chengqian said solemnly.

Compared to the Shengzu Ren Emperor of the later dynasty with a braid, the great Emperor Taizong, who created the prosperous Zhenguan era and was feared and respected by the four barbarians, deserves the title of Shengzu. The Shengzu with a braid was purely flattered by the officials and was shameless.

"That's right, Erlang deserves it." Changsun Wugou said with a smile.

"Okay, my son, you have a good idea. Come, bring the wine, play the music, and dance. I want to celebrate Dalang's ascension to the throne." Li Shimin said happily.