Chapter 233 Western Turkic Envoy
The next morning, Li Chengqian left Wenrou Township and went to Xiande Hall to convene a morning meeting.
Li Er was ill and needed to rest for a while, so all military and national affairs were handed over to Li Chengqian. Except for major events that needed to be reported to Li Er, all others were approved by Li Chengqian.
Even things like the morning court were presided over by Li Chengqian himself.
For the ministers, it was just that the meeting place was moved from Taiji Hall in the palace to Xiande Hall in the East Palace.
During this period, Li Chengqian's attempt to disrupt the marriage between Dou Huaixiu and Li Shu went very smoothly, which successfully caused Li Er's dissatisfaction with Dou Huaixiu.
Finally, Li Er gave up the idea of surrendering his daughter Li Shu to Dou Huaiqiu, and Li Chengqian took the opportunity to recommend Long Zhi, who was promoted to General of the Left Guard for his meritorious service in the campaign against Xueyantuo, to Li Er. With
the help of Li Chengqian, Li Er was very satisfied with Long Zhi, and finally agreed to surrender Princess Lanling Li Shu to Long Zhi.
Long Zhi and Xue Wanche married Tang princesses at the same time.
After a period of rest, Li Er's illness was almost cured, and the government naturally returned to Li Er's hands.
The next day, Li Er, whose condition had just improved, could not wait to call the morning court.
Li Chengqian put on court clothes with the help of the maid, took the jade scepter and went to Taiji Hall to attend the court.
After going through layers of checks, Li Chengqian went to the Taiji Hall to wait for Li Er's arrival.
"Your Majesty has arrived!" As Wang Yuan's shout rang out, Li Er walked in from outside the hall. Li Chengqian and the ministers knelt and saluted.
"Your Majesty! Long live the emperor!" Li Er sat on the throne and accepted the ministers' congratulations!
"All of you stand up!" Li Er said.
Li Chengqian and the ministers then stood up and sat down. Before the Song Dynasty, ministers did not need to stand when attending court, but kneeled on mats, which was called sitting on the floor. After
the Song Dynasty, the emperor sat down, and the ministers below, regardless of their official positions, all stood and spoke.
"Do you have anything to report today?" Li Er asked.
"Your Majesty!" The official of the Ministry of Rites stood up and said, "The Khan of the Western Turks has sent an envoy to Chang'an, who is now staying at the posthouse. I wonder if Your Majesty would like to summon him?"
"If you hadn't told me, I would have almost forgotten! Just summon the envoy of the Western Turks to see you!" Li Er said.
The Western Turks sent an envoy to Chang'an, and the border guards had sent letters and reported their itinerary before the Western Turks.
The Western Turks were a force supported by Li Er in Mobei. Originally, they were intended to deal with the Xueyantuo, but the Western Turks were no match for them and were repeatedly beaten by the Xueyantuo.
If Li Er hadn't sent people to mediate, and the Xueyantuo had to swallow their anger, the Western Turks would have been in trouble long ago!
How could there be any envoys from the Western Turks to deliver tributes to meet the Khan of Heaven?
"The envoy
of the Western Turkic people wants to see the emperor! "
"The envoy of the Western Turkic people wants to
see the emperor!" The voice started from the main hall and spread to the outside. Naturally, someone went to the post house to invite the Western Turkic envoy to see His Majesty the Emperor!
Soon, the envoy of the Western Turkic Khan was brought to the main hall.
"The Turkic envoy wants to see His Majesty the Khan of Heaven!" The Western Turkic envoy saluted Li Er.
"No need to be polite, just stand up!" Li Er said.
"Thank you, Khan of Heaven!" The envoy stood up and said, "Great Khan of Heaven, I, the Khan of the Turkic people, ordered me to come to Chang'an to offer treasures to Khan of Heaven. This is the gift list. Please take a look, Khan of Heaven." After
the Western Turkic envoy finished speaking, he took out the gift list and handed it to Li Er, which listed the local specialties of this tribute.
Wang Yuan took it, turned back to Li Er, and handed the gift list to Li Er.
After reading it, Li Er was very satisfied with the local specialties offered by the Western Turks, and rewarded the Western Turks Yibi Shekui Khan.
In fact, this time the Western Turks Yibi Shekui Khan sent an envoy to Chang'an to pay homage to Li Er, in addition to offering local specialties, there was another purpose.
"Great Khan of Heaven, I, the Khan of the Turks, hope to ask you to grant our Khan a marriage!" The Western Turks envoy knelt on one knee and saluted.
This was the main purpose of their tribute to Chang'an, to ask for marriage from the Tang Dynasty.
As for who to marry, it didn't matter at all, as long as the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty issued an edict to marry the woman of the Western Turks.
Since the destruction of the Xueyantuo Khanate, the Western Turkic Khan Yibishekui has become increasingly restless.
This time, he sent an envoy to Chang'an to ask for marriage in order to take advantage of the prestige of the Tang Empire, increase the influence of the Western Turkic Khanate in the Western Regions, and thus achieve the goal of controlling the Western Regions.
Now that the Xueyantuo is gone, the Western Turkic Khan Yibishekui has begun to swell up a bit.
Therefore, Yibishekui Khan doesn't mind what kind of woman he will marry. Anyway, he just wants to borrow the name of the Tang Dynasty to pull the tiger skin and pull the flag.
Besides, will the Li Tang Dynasty just find a woman to marry to the Western Turkic Khanate? Then will the Li Tang Dynasty still have face.
Even if she is not the emperor's biological daughter, at least she is a princess of the royal family. At the very least, she is a palace maid with a title.
As long as the woman is from the Tang Dynasty and has a title, no matter what kind of woman she is, Yibishekui Khan will accept her.
All he wants is the title on the woman's head, which is something that can bring him countless benefits.
Li Er frowned after hearing this. He never expected that Yibishekui Khan of Western Turkic would take the opportunity to ask for marriage.
The ministers were all talking about it, whispering about the Western Turkic marriage proposal.
The Western Turkic envoy turned a deaf ear to the discussions of the court officials. He quietly waited for the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty to make a decision.
"What are you arguing about? How can you quarrel in the court!" Li Er knocked on the armrest of the throne and roared.
There are outsiders here, and these guys don't know how to behave themselves. They are talking about it in this sacred court.
"That's all for today. I'm a little tired! The Turkic envoys should go back to the posthouse to rest first. As for your Khan's marriage proposal, I will give you a reply when the time comes." Li Er said.
Whether to accept Yibi Shekui Khan's marriage proposal or not, Li Er still needs to think carefully.
"Yes, Khan! I'll take my leave!" The Western Turkic envoy bowed and left. After leaving the palace, someone led the envoy out of the palace and back to the posthouse.
The Western Turkic envoys were not in a hurry, and Li Er did not reject them outright. There was still room for maneuver
in this marriage proposal. "Today's morning court session ends here. The Crown Prince, King Jin, Changsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang, Ma Zhou, Fang Xuanling, and Yang Shidao will stay, and the rest of you will leave the court." Li Er said after the Western Turkic envoys left.
"I will take my leave!" Except for those who were named to stay, the other ministers withdrew and went to work.
Li Chengqian and others had already guessed why Li Er kept them.
It must be that Li Er was hesitant about the Western Turkic marriage proposal and wanted to ask them for advice on whether he should agree to Yibi Shekui Khan's marriage proposal.