181 Chapter 181
◎Abdication and the Turks.
In August of the ninth year of Wude, Emperor Li Yuan of the Tang Dynasty issued an edict to abdicate the throne to Crown Prince Li Shimin.
Li Yuan was obviously extremely reluctant. Although he abdicated, he did not give up the Taiji Hall. Li Shimin could only ascend the throne in the Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace.
The discord between the retired emperor and the new emperor was obvious. Perhaps this was Li Yuan using his limited strength to resist Li Shimin.
But no matter what Li Yuan's purpose was, all power was already in the hands of Li Shimin. He would become the Heavenly Khan praised by everyone, and Emperor Taizong of Tang would be a supreme role model for all dynasties in the future.
Li Yuan's actions would not allow future generations to have any say in Li Shimin. On the contrary, it would make Li Yuan appear to be a clown who could not afford to lose.
As the incompetent son of Tian Khan, Li Chengqian did not resonate with Tian Khan's incompetent father.
What kind of life did the retired emperor live, and what kind of life did Li Chengqian live? There was really no similarity that could resonate between them.
"It's great to be the emperor." Li Chengqian sighed, holding his chin.
Changsun was looking through the list of palace maids, selecting those to be released from the palace. Upon hearing this, she paused, put down her pen, and gently instructed, "Chengqian, your father has just ascended the throne, and the court is still unstable. Times are different now, so you should be more careful with your words."
Li Chengqian laughed and said, "I only say this in front of my mother."
"You can say whatever you want in front of Mother, but I'm afraid you've gotten so used to it that you might bring it up in public," said Changsun. "Besides, even if your father loves you, he'll have to punish you slightly and teach you a lesson just to be fair. Wouldn't that make you suffer? Mother would be heartbroken to see it."
"I will listen to my mother and will definitely not let you feel sad." Li Chengqian said hurriedly.
Chang Sun couldn't help but smile: "I am naturally happy that you are filial to your mother, but Cheng Qian, you will grow up slowly in the future. You can't just focus on your mother. There is a vast world waiting for you."
Li Chengqian said, "If I can't even clean my own house, how can I clean up the world? It is precisely because I am filial to my mother that I can extend my filial piety to others."
Chang Sun thought for a moment, then smiled with satisfaction and said, "Cheng Qian has indeed grown up. He has great ambitions. Mother can't compare to you."
This made Li Chengqian blush: "Mother, I don't... well, even if I do have some ability, it's all because of your good teaching."
Chang Sun rubbed his head, glanced at the clock and urged: "It's time, Cheng Qian, you should go to the training ground first, don't let the masters wait for you."
One of the reasons why Li Chengqian got along well with the four martial arts masters was that the stories he told during breaks attracted them.
Li Chengqian told Yuchi Jingde about the later interpretation of Wagangzhai, told Cheng Zhijie and Qin Qiong about the Investiture of the Gods, and told Hou Junji about Yue Family Army.
After mastering horse riding, archery, and swords and spears, Li Chengqian's story is not over yet.
However, the four generals were not in the mood to listen to stories at this moment, because the Turks had invaded the border and the court was busy with military arrangements.
Gunpowder had begun to be mass-produced, and soldiers and horses had also been trained. Although the power of gunpowder at this time was very little compared to that of later generations, it was already a groundbreaking progress in the era of cold weapons.
Li Chengqian once predicted a Turkic invasion, and now it has come true. Li Shimin was so focused on deploying troops and arranging defenses that he had no intention of asking his eldest son about his plans.
Although there was no teacher to supervise him, Li Chengqian still practiced martial arts every day, but he was occasionally a little absent-minded.
Li Ying, who was copying medical books, came out to slack off. Seeing this, he asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Li Chengqian was not on guard and answered casually: "I wonder if the Weishui Alliance will happen again this time..."
"No way." Li Ying said, "The Turks have never seen gunpowder. If this thing suddenly appears, it will scare them away."
Li Chengqian looked at him: "You are quite optimistic."
"As a person, you should be optimistic. Think less, eat more, and sleep more." Li Ying said, "You think too much. Why don't you learn from me?"
"That's not optimism. You're heartless." Li Chengqian put down his bow, thought for a moment, and then said, "But being heartless is good."
Li Ying smiled and said, "If you are worried about the outcome, why not go to Xiande Hall and ask your father?"
Li Chengqian stubbornly said, "This is just a side effect of my past as a crown prince. I'm not worried at all about the Heavenly Khan making the Weishui Alliance. He'll be back in two years anyway, so there's no need for me to worry about it!"
Li Ying laughed out loud: "Okay, okay, then you should quickly correct this sequelae. Anyway, it has nothing to do with you if the Turks attack Chang'an, right?"
Li Chengqian glared at him and said, "I have no interest in prematurely recreating the Jingkang Shame. You are really underestimating the Khan."
"I'm not underestimating Tian Khan, but have you heard of the butterfly effect?" Li Ying asked seriously, "You are that butterfly right now. If you reveal the future to your father, it will flap its wings, and the future may undergo drastic changes."
Li Chengqian frowned and said, "That's alarmist!"
Seeing his hesitation, Li Ying continued, "I think you should go and take a look. If you don't care about your father and his Tang Dynasty, then you should at least care about your mother and your sister, right?"
"You're right! I have to go ask!" Li Chengqian made up his mind, but before leaving, he did not forget to urge Li Ying, "Go back and copy the medical books. After my mother's coronation ceremony is over, I will start printing to attract Sun Simiao."
Li Ying: “…”
Good intentions are not rewarded.
…
Xiande Hall.
When Li Shimin heard that the King of Zhongshan was asking for an audience, he almost thought there was something wrong with his ears: "King of Zhongshan? Is it Cheng Qian?"
The palace servant said, "Your Majesty, it is the King of Zhongshan who requests an audience."
Li Shimin hurriedly said, "Please come in!"
Li Chengqian was about to pay his respects when he was stopped by the emperor who had stepped down from the throne. "It's a rare opportunity for you to see your father. There's no need for these empty formalities."
Li Chengqian got goose bumps all over his body, but he didn't insist on bowing. He just said straight to the point, "I have something to ask the Saint."
Li Shimin pulled his eldest son to sit with him, but was quickly avoided.
Li Chengqian was speechless and said, "I can't sit here. Have you forgotten that you are already the emperor?"
Li Shimin smiled nonchalantly and said, "There are no outsiders in the palace. You and I, father and son, should be at ease."
Li Chengqian said, "I feel quite uncomfortable."
Li Shimin sighed secretly and said, "Okay, Cheng Qian, you sit here."
The seat pointed by Tian Khan was still very close to him, but it was much better than sitting next to him, as it showed Tian Khan's fatherly love. Li Chengqian could barely accept it.
After taking his seat, Li Chengqian continued to speak bluntly: "Saint, gunpowder may be able to restrain the Turks. Where have the Turks gone?"
Li Shimin nodded and smiled, "The gunpowder was made by Cheng Qian. You knew about the Turkic invasion long ago. Aye knew you would be concerned about the outcome of this battle."
Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile: "It looks like good news."
"That's right," Li Shimin said with a smile. "Jingde has captured Jie Li and Tu Li alive and is currently taking them to the capital. I plan to offer sacrifices to them at the Imperial Ancestral Temple the day after tomorrow. Cheng Qian, you and Aye will go together."
Although Jie Li Khan and Tuli Khan were not the leaders of the Turks, Li Shimin was able to capture these two main border offenders as soon as he ascended the throne. This not only dampened the Turks' fighting spirit, but also demonstrated the power of the Tang Dynasty and the new emperor.
Li Shimin had won many battles, but so far, this one must have been the one that made him happiest.
Li Chengqian said, "I'm not going."
"The gunpowder is made for you, Cheng Qian. The Turkic soldiers are not weak. Without gunpowder, I'm afraid we would not have achieved such results this time. You should be the first to make the contribution in this victory. Of course you should go." Li Shimin's words were very reasonable and well-founded.
Li Chengqian said, "The main credit goes to the soldiers and generals at the front. I didn't even see any Turkic troops, so I don't dare to take any credit."
Li Shimin wanted to persuade him again, but his eldest son's words were so appropriate that he had other ideas. So he said, "Well, if you don't want to go, then don't go. Your mother's coronation ceremony will be in a few days. Go and help her."
The date for the queen's coronation ceremony had been set long ago, and the Turkic captives were to be sent later. Because of this great victory, the ceremony was more lively than Li Chengqian remembered, perhaps because people's emotions were no longer tense.
The treatment of the captives had nothing to do with Li Chengqian, but he heard a rumor related to him. This was told to him by Yuchi Jingde, who had won a battle and was returning to be Li Chengqian's teacher.
Tian Khan told his ministers that Li Chengqian had refused to go to the Taimiao with him, and said that the Prince of Zhongshan was compassionate to the soldiers, which deeply shocked him. The Prince of Zhongshan was able to have such insight at such a young age, which showed that he had a good teacher. Therefore, Tian Khan also rewarded Lu Yuanlang.
After returning from the front and witnessing the true power of gunpowder, Yuchi Jingde was deeply touched when he heard these words. He even volunteered to be Li Chengqian's martial arts master.
But Li Chengqian refused without hesitation. Yuchi Jingde had a bright future and there was no need to tie him to this broken boat of his.
Li Chengqian said with a smile, "There are still important tasks waiting for the general to display his talents. I cannot keep the general here. Besides, General Yuchi has made great contributions, but he is only a teacher. I am afraid that people in the world will say that the sage is unclear about rewards and punishments."
Yuchi Jingde also knew that this suggestion was impractical and did not force it. However, when he said goodbye to Li Chengqian, he did not forget to say, "King Zhongshan, the story of Nezha's upheaval at sea is interesting. When you have time someday, could you please tell me the story as well?"
Li Chengqian agreed, "I'll write it down and give it to the general."
After sending Yuchi Jingde away, the smile on Li Chengqian's face immediately disappeared. It was true that the devil was one foot away and the Tao was ten feet higher. It turned out that the Khan of Heaven was waiting for him here!
With this wave of reputation, and considering the usefulness of gunpowder in dealing with the invasion of the Turks, if nothing else is done, Li Chengqian feels that by the time the Khan appoints a crown prince in October, there may be no obstacles.
"It doesn't matter whether you die early or late. What difference does it make if you become the crown prince a day later or a day earlier?" Li Ying said, "Besides, if you make too much noise, even rumors from the previous dynasty might reach your mother's ears."
Li Chengqian paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "Why don't I let Qin Shubao be my teacher?"
"Huh?" It happened so fast that Li Ying didn't react. "Why is it him?"
Li Chengqian said, "Qin Shubao died in the 12th year of the Zhenguan reign, before me. When I am deposed, I will not be able to implicate him."
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