Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Farewell?

Are we going back to Yuhua Palace?

Li Chengqian asked curiously, "Father, do you miss all your concubines and want to go back to have more children for our Li family?"

"It's rare for you to come back to Chang'an, why don't you stay a little longer?"

What?

Spreading branches and leaves?

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, Li Shimin's old face immediately darkened.

"Humph!"

Li Shimin snorted heavily, then said in a deep voice, "What nonsense are you spouting all day long, you unfilial son?"

"I'm already so old, why should I start any new branches or leaves?"

Listening to his father's serious words, Li Chengqian thought of his several pregnant concubines, and his smile widened.

Ha ha.

It seems his guess was correct; his father was indeed unable to contain himself.

Li Chengqian looked like he deserved a beating.

Li Shimin continued, "You should quickly take more concubines and try to have a hundred or eighty more children within three years. Then I can answer to your mother in the afterlife!"

"Of the dozen or so concubines that Qingque brought, half of them are already pregnant."

"As the eldest brother, you can't possibly be inferior to Qingque, can you?"

When Li Chengqian heard that Li Tai's concubine was pregnant again, his expression paused slightly and became serious.

He can't let Li Tai outdo him!

Li Chengqian patted his chest and said, "Father, rest assured, I will never disgrace you."

He did not tell his father about collecting beauties from all over the world, so as not to arouse his father's jealousy.

After a few jokes.

Li Shimin said with a serious expression, "Since I came to power, I have never had the opportunity to tour the Tang Dynasty, let alone see the newly conquered territories."

"I plan to travel the world in private servers and see the magnificent landscape of the Tang Dynasty!"

Li Chengqian and Du He looked at each other for a moment, and then a look of sudden realization appeared on their faces.

"I see!"

However, a look of worry quickly appeared on their faces.

The idea of ​​touring the world is good, but touring is not as easy as imagined. Even strong men may not be able to withstand the arduous journey.

The retired emperor is ill and may die on the way.

A moment of silence.

Li Chengqian advised, "Father, I suggest you visit the prefectures and counties around Chang'an, or go hunting in the territory of the Prince of Zhenbei."

"The official road is not yet fully paved and the rubber wheels for the carriages have not yet been made, so you should take it easy."

There was a pause.

Li Chengqian then advised, "Du He is expected to lead a large army on an expedition next year. You can also visit the Western Regions then. I've heard that the scenery there is unique."

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, Du He also spoke up to persuade him.

Whether traveling on horseback or by carriage, the journey was extremely arduous, and Li Shimin's body could not withstand the fatigue.

Li Shimin laughed and said, "What you two rascals said makes some sense. I will re-plan the tour route."

"Hunting in the territory of the Prince of Zhenbei is a good idea. I'll bring back a few eagles."

He originally wanted to visit Jiangnan and experience the water towns there.

However, Li Zhi will be returning to his fiefdom soon, and he needs to go with him to give him some pointers, otherwise that rascal will not be able to manage his fiefdom well.

It's not too late to go to Jiangnan after we've helped Li Zhi get back on his feet.

Li Chengqian and Du He quickly bowed and saluted, exclaiming that the emperor was wise.

Just as the three were discussing what the Tang Dynasty was going to do next and how to manage the fiefdoms of the vassal kings, Qin Huaidao hurriedly walked into the main hall.

After a bow.

Qin Huaidao reported: "Your Majesty, the garrison commander of Qu Nu City has sent back a military report."

"Your Majesty, please take a look."

Upon hearing the news that the garrison stationed at Qunu City in Tianzhu had sent back a military report, Li Shimin, Li Chengqian, and Du He's eyes lit up.

After Li Chengqian finished reading the military report, he said excitedly.

"incredible!"

"Unexpectedly, the Venerable Xuanzang, with his silver tongue, actually persuaded the small kingdoms of Western and Southern India to surrender!"

"Now the entire territory of India has completely fallen into the hands of our Great Tang!"

what!

Without the imperial court firing a single shot, the Buddhist monk Xuanzang conquered those small kingdoms that believed in Buddhism.

This is just too bizarre!

Li Shimin quickly said, "Let me see the military report!"

After reading the military report, he was equally excited and praised Master Xuanzang, his face filled with disbelief.

Excited moment.

Li Shimin patted Du He on the shoulder and said, "Du He, you rascal, you're really capable! You actually managed to persuade the monk Xuanzang to persuade the people of India to surrender!"

"With the cooperation of a group of monks in India, they successfully persuaded millions of Indians to surrender."

"This is a great achievement!"

The subsequent major battles of the Tang Dynasty would require millions of logistical personnel, and these able-bodied young men from West India and South India would be of great use.

Li Chengqian understood his father's implied meaning and said with a smile, "Father, rest assured, I will reward Master Xuanzang handsomely."

"He was later listed as one of the meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion, and was further rewarded with a city as the Buddhist kingdom of Master Xuanzang."

While a large number of temples could not be built within the Tang Dynasty's territory, the monk Xuanzang could establish a small Buddhist kingdom in India, providing a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists.

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Good!"

The three chatted for a few more minutes, but because Li Shimin and Li Chengqian had important matters to discuss, Du He left Ganlu Hall alone.

...

The next day.

A meeting of hundreds of officials.

After the heads of each department finished reporting on their political affairs, Li Chengqian immediately announced two pieces of great joy.

"My esteemed ministers, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Venerable Xuanzang, we have successfully persuaded the kingdoms of West India and South India to surrender, and India has now become part of the Tang Dynasty!"

"I have also established a list of forty-nine meritorious officials for the Lingyan Pavilion, which will be announced later!"

wow~

As Li Chengqian announced the two major pieces of news, a huge uproar erupted in the Taiji Hall.

These civil and military officials were all worldly people, and they had never heard of a monk who was so weak that he could persuade so many states to surrender.

Furthermore, the Crown Prince's establishment of the Lingyan Pavilion for forty-nine meritorious officials means that even more people will be selected to be included.

Wait until everyone quiets down.

Lai Ji, amidst the gazes of civil and military officials, walked to the side of the imperial platform holding the imperial edict and read it aloud.

"Since ancient times, emperors have praised and honored meritorious officials by inscribing their deeds on bronze vessels and painting their portraits. Thus, the meritorious ministers of Ganlu are recorded in the Ling Pavilion, and the meritorious officials of Jianwu are recorded in the Yuntai Pavilion."

"The portraits of Han King Du He, the late Hejian Yuan King Xiao Gong, the late Lai State Cheng Gong Ru Hui, Liang State Duke Fang Xuanling, ... and Linzi County Duke Fang Yi'ai are all engraved in the Lingyan Pavilion."

"The forty-nine meritorious officials enshrined in the Lingyan Pavilion were either pillars of the state, possessing far-sighted strategies, meticulous planning, and the ability to govern a powerful nation; or learned scholars with exemplary virtues..."

After a cup of tea.

After Lai Ji finished reading the imperial edict, the ministers who had been selected for the Lingyan Pavilion stood up excitedly and bowed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

The four who surprised the officials the most were Cui Shenji, Wang Jingzhi, Xiao Kai, and Fang Yi'ai.

Unexpectedly, these four good-for-nothing playboys were selected for the Lingyan Pavilion one day, and ranked in the middle.

It seems that choice is more important than effort!

On the imperial platform.

Li Chengqian declared loudly, "The portrait for the Lingyan Pavilion will be drawn by Yan Liben, and the inscription will be written by Xu Jingzong, the Minister of Rites. This matter must be completed within a month!"

Yan Liben and Xu Jingzong quickly stood up and bowed.

"I accept the decree."

Xu Jingzong was very unhappy. He was clearly one of the eighteen scholars of the Prince of Qin's mansion and had participated in compiling the national history.

Unexpectedly, His Majesty selected a group of纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy and powerful families) for the Lingyan Pavilion, but not him, a great contributor.

Li Chengqian then ordered, "King Han, you shall lead the officials to revise the national history of the Zhenguan era for future generations to refer to."