Chapter 26 King of Kings
After experiencing the events in the Western Regions, the Tang Dynasty once again stood tall in the East, overlooking the world.
After resolving the Central Asian crisis, the emperor issued an edict to vigorously develop the economy, science and technology, and the military. The national strength of the Tang Dynasty gradually changed from being strong on the outside but weak on the inside to being strong and rich in cultural heritage, and once again ushered in a prosperous era.
Today, Chang'an City has regained its former bustling appearance, with crowds of people, hawkers' cries, and a constant stream of merchants and travelers along the way.
"Hey, you say, the new prime minister is a young girl in her early twenties. Is this reasonable?" In a tavern, four guests sat around a table and talked about current affairs.
"Alas, you don't understand this. Men can rule the world, and women can too. The current emperor is a good example. And since those who rule the world are women, those who assist in ruling the world can naturally also be women."
"Indeed, I also think there's nothing wrong with it. Governing the world has nothing to do with gender. As long as a talented and wise person manages the country in an orderly manner, I fully support it."
It turned out that the central court had rotated a round of officials at the end of last year, and the most dazzling one among this round of officials was the newly appointed prime minister. She was a talented woman who came from a commoner family and was deeply appreciated by Wu Huai during the imperial examination. She was twenty-eight years old this year and her name was Li Liuxiu.
"Li Tingxiang, you will still preside over the morning court today."
"promise."
Li Liuxiu walked out of Wuhuai's bedroom, holding his forehead helplessly and thinking, "This is already the second month. Since I took office, the emperor has not attended court once. Those who don't know would think I am trying to usurp the throne."
"well"
Princess Li Yao happened to be passing by and saw Li Liuxiu sighing. She walked up to him and asked, "Why is Li Tingxiang sighing?"
Li Liuxiu saw that it was Princess Li Yao, and a sly glint flashed in his eyes. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "My Princess, may you be well. To be honest, since I took office, His Majesty has handed over all court affairs, big and small, to me. Now, he's even unwilling to appear before the court. Even if the Tang Dynasty is thriving, it can't withstand such laziness from His Majesty."
Princess Li Yao didn't show it on her face, but she felt deep down that this person was an eyesore. Not only was he of commoner origin, but he also dared to have opinions about her elder sister.
Then he said, "Li Tingxiang, the Queen Sister entrusted the power to you to help her share her troubles. It is naturally because she trusts you. Why are you still complaining so much?"
Li Liuxiu smiled and said, "I naturally don't dare to complain, but I think His Majesty's actions are not appropriate."
Princess Li Yao waved her round fan gently and said, "My Royal Sister naturally has her own difficulties. Li Tingxiang just needs to take care of himself."
After saying that, Princess Li Yao parted ways with her. After all, she didn't need to go to court.
Li Liuxiu looked at the figure in gorgeous clothes from behind, secretly planning in his heart, sooner or later, I will make you beg for mercy under me!
At this time, beside the Taiye Lake in Daming Palace, Wu Huai was walking on the pier leading to the waterside pavilion in the lake, alone and very lonely.
She looked at the western sky and recalled the dreams she had had in the past few days.
Ever since the Tang Dynasty had regained its prosperity and the heavy workload of government had ended, she had found more time. Before, she had believed that time was the antidote to their longing for each other. After some free time, she realized that this was nonsense.
Not only did she miss Hu Yueqin even more, but even in her dreams, she was filled with the shadow of that beauty from the Western Regions.
Before, I devoted myself to rebuilding the Tang Dynasty and didn't feel anything. Now, the pain of missing someone has invaded every part of my body and is making me suffer unbearable.
She thought about giving up the throne, and asked the king to find her even if it meant going to the ends of the earth. However, she found that this was not the right time to withdraw. The Tang Dynasty was peaceful and open on the surface, and all nations came to pay tribute.
However, undercurrents were surging in secret. Not only the princes and nobles, but also the Western forces were eyeing the fertile land of the East.
She understood that she had long been intertwined with the fate of this dynasty and had no control over herself and could not extricate herself.
She took out a scroll she had brought with her. On it was a painting of a woman from the Western Regions, with a poem inscribed beside it. Wu Huai gently stroked the face of the beauty in the scroll and recited the poem: "Cloudy hair, flowery face, golden step-shaking ornaments, the hibiscus tent warms the spring night. The spring night is short, the sun rises high, from now on, the king will no longer attend court early."
Whether it was intentional or a gift from heaven, I don't know. The next day, the guards came to report, "Your Excellency, a delegation of envoys from the Western Regions wishes to pay homage to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."
As he spoke, he handed the list of envoys to Li Liuxiu. Wu Huai happened to see this scene. When she heard that it was the Western Regions envoys, she took the list in two steps. Li Liuxiu felt that it was blown away by a gust of wind, and her hands were empty.
Wu Huai looked at the name at the head of the delegation, "Head of the delegation - Hu Yueqin", and was stunned where he stood.
She thought, "Yueqin, this is God's will. God has sent you to me again. This time, I will never lose you!"
Ever since Hu Yueqin failed in the battle in the Western Regions, she has been banished to the cold palace in the officialdom. No one will acknowledge her as a genius anymore, and they will only see that her failure will ruin the future of Central Asia.
Her only close friend, Qin Shitao, also hid her identity and lived in seclusion in the mountains. She often pondered her past choices and wondered if this result was what she wanted.
Having ruined Zhongya's future, Wu Huai no longer accompanied her in acting. It was a complete loss. This outcome was clearly not what she wanted.
So when the Central Asian countries planned to send an envoy to the Tang Dynasty to admit their mistakes, Hu Yueqin was the first to stand up. Perhaps it was because of her pride or because she couldn't let go of her first love, she once again embarked on a journey to the east.
The day before leaving, she visited Qin Shitao. She was one of the few people who knew where Qin Shitao was in seclusion.
"Knock knock knock"
"Squeak"
The door was opened from the inside, and a young girl emerged. Her bright eyes looked at the beauty outside and asked, "Hello, who are you looking for?"
Before Hu Yueqin could respond, she heard a sexy female voice from inside the room, "Guoguo, who's here?"
The childish little girl turned around and said, "Sister, it's the aunt I haven't seen before."
Hu Yueqin almost vomited blood. Why could Qin Shitao be the elder sister and she was the aunt?
Sure enough, not long after, a man emerged from the inner room. His waist-length hair and short attire made him look dashing. Qin Shitao approached and, seeing Hu Yueqin's gloomy face from afar, quickly asked, "Hey, Great Alliance Leader, what brings you here?"
She knew that Hu Yueqin hated being thought of as old the most.
Qin Shitao led Qin Qiguo, and Hu Yueqin followed behind them and came to the central hall together.
Qin Shitao made her a cup of tea and said, "Yueqin, no matter what it is, I believe you have your own considerations."
Hu Yueqin took a sip of tea and said, "Shi Tao, Central Asia is planning to send an embassy to the Tang Dynasty. I was just planning to discuss with you whether I should go or not."
Qin Shitao smiled. How could she, a classmate of hers for twenty years, not see through her little thoughts? She said, "You told me this, haven't you already made up your mind?"
Hu Yueqin was startled. She looked up at her former classmate and smiled slightly. She said, "Indeed, Shi Tao, I may not come back this time."
Qin Qiguo sat next to Qin Shitao, blinking her big eyes as she watched her aunt talking to her sister, her legs swinging back and forth. In her little head, she wondered what the relationship between the aunt and her sister was.
Before leaving, Hu Yueqin walked up to Qin Qiguo, stroked her head gently, and said softly, "Take good care of her." Then she walked out of the yard.
Qin Qiguo pretended to be casual and asked, "Sister, who is she?"
Qin Shitao took her little hand and said as they walked, "She is a good friend of my sister."
Qin Qiguo looked at Qin Shitao's smiling face, and suddenly she felt very uncomfortable. In the past two years, Qin Shitao had spoiled her, pampered her, and indulged her, and had already made the little girl's personality spoiled.
She shook off Qin Shitao's hand and ran into the bedroom.
Qin Shitao was stunned, looking at the empty palms, and suddenly understood something. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and he quickly chased after him.
Hu Yueqin originally thought that the Tang court would allow the delegation to rest for a few days before coming to the court for an audience, but unexpectedly she was summoned by the communications officer early the next morning.
After traveling for several weeks, and as the head of the delegation, the workload must have been extremely heavy. Hu Yueqin yawned as she walked towards the Hanyuan Hall.
Arriving at the front square, the majestic Hanyuan Hall stood before everyone. Envoys from some small countries could not help but admire the great wealth and power of the Tang Dynasty.
Hu Yueqin was not interested at all. She felt depressed when she thought that the person sitting in the hall was a scumbag who had deceived her feelings.
The ceremonial officer led everyone to the main entrance of the hall. He motioned for everyone to wait. Then he chorused, "The Central Asian delegation has come to pay their respects to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!"
Wu Huai couldn't wait any longer. She stood up and said, "Hurry up and come in!"
Li Liuxiu, standing by, couldn't believe her eyes. The emperor had actually come to Hanyuan Hall in person. Before this, she had tried her best to persuade him to leave the chambers, but to no avail. Now he was so eager to meet with this delegation. There was definitely something fishy going on.
As the delegation filed in, Wu Huai's eyes gradually widened. Because the hall was so wide, Wu Huai had to concentrate all his attention to see the faces of the people coming in from the opposite side.
Hu Yueqin was the last to enter the hall. She bowed along with the others and said, "God bless the Tang Dynasty, and may the nation last forever!"
Wu Huai stared at the figure at the end of the team and even forgot to ask them to stand up.
Li Liuxiu followed her gaze and saw that it was indeed the person who had captured the emperor two years ago. But why was she in this delegation? Was there some conspiracy?
She cleared her throat and reminded Wu Huai, who then came to his senses and said hurriedly, "Messengers, please stand up!"
The next step is to present treasures. After all, as a guest, you cannot come empty-handed.
"The Persian envoy Savila presents two pure-blooded white elephants as a gift, wishing His Majesty all the best."
"Warsaw - Lithuanian envoy Ou Di presents a bouquet of snow-covered pear blossoms from the northern border. These flowers can be admired from afar or used to make soup. They promote blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis, possessing a variety of benefits. May the Tang Dynasty and our country forge a friendly alliance like Qin and Jin, and forever end hostilities."
As the figure gradually moved forward, Wu Huai's heart rose to his throat. He wondered what she thought of him now.
Finally, it was her turn. A clear female voice echoed throughout the hall, "Hu Yueqin, the envoy of the Israel-Honeysuckle Dynasty, presents two gold mines. May the Tang Dynasty prosper."
After saying that, she left with the crowd. Wu Huai wanted to keep her, but the man in the audience seemed to be leaving with great determination, and had no desire to recognize her at all.
Wu Huai felt extremely disappointed, but he still patiently listened to the blessings from the envoys from various countries.
Most of these countries participated in the Central Asian Alliance and blocked the western border of the Tang Dynasty. This time they came naturally hoping that the Tang Dynasty would put aside past grudges and restore peace.
Wu Huai's mind was now filled with Hu Yueqin's resolute figure. He wondered if they still had a future. Although he was present, his thoughts were elsewhere.
Li Liuxiu saw this scene and sighed, "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?"
Wu Huai shook his head stiffly. Li Liuxiu continued, "Your Majesty, please go and rest. I will take charge here."
Wu Huai finally came back to his senses, his eyes focused again. He looked at the Prime Minister he had personally selected, and sighed in his heart that she had a good eye for talent. He said, "Then I'll leave it to Prime Minister Li." After saying that, he left.
The author has something to say:
I had some things to do some time ago, so I went to Jinan. Sorry.
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