Chapter 298 Wu Wang Li Ke
"Your Majesty! Han Wang Li Yuanchang, Jing Wang Li Yuanjing, Feng Wang Li Yuanheng, Wu Wang Li Ke, Shu Wang Li Yin, Yue Wang Li Zhen and other princes have arrived in Chang'an." Wang Quan said to Li Chengqian.
"Can the princes go to pay homage to the late emperor's coffin? What's Wu Wang Li Ke's expression?" Li Chengqian asked.
"The rest of the princes went to pay homage to the late emperor's coffin first, Han Wang Li Yuanchang said he wanted to come to pay homage to Your Majesty first!" Wang Quan said.
"Go tell the King of Han to let him go to pay respect to the coffin of the late emperor first, and as for paying respect to me, we will talk about it later. By the way, tell him that what he wants has been sent to his house!"
"During the days in Chang'an, let him abide by the etiquette and do not do anything lewd, otherwise, I can't save him." Li Chengqian said.
"Yes!" Wang Quan responded.
"Since Wu Wang Li Ke has paid respect to the coffin of the late emperor, let him come to see me." Li Chengqian said.
He wanted to see what kind of person this prince who was like me in the words of the late emperor was.
"Yes!" Wang Quan took the order and withdrew. He first told Han Wang Li Yuanchang what Li Chengqian said, and then went to find Wu Wang Li Ke.
Wang Quan went and came back, and when he came back, Wu Wang Li Ke followed behind him.
Li Chengqian looked up at Li Ke, and Li Ke also looked up at Li Chengqian, and their eyes met.
Li Ke was a man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, who looked somewhat like Li Chengqian, but was half a head taller than Li Chengqian.
He wore a white mourning dress, a mourning belt around his waist, and a mourning scarf on his head, and there was a trace of sadness in his bright eyes.
Li Ke retracted his gaze and saluted, "Your Majesty, I am Li Ke, the King of Wu, and I pay my respects to you!"
"No need to be polite! Please give me a seat! Brothers like you don't need to be so formal!" Li
Chengqian said. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving me a seat. Although I am your brother, we are also monarch and subject, and the etiquette between monarch and subject cannot be abolished." Li Ke said, and walked to the side and sat down.
Li Chengqian could say this, but he couldn't think so. He, Li Ke, still understood the truth that serving the monarch is like serving a tiger.
Who knows if this is a test from Li Chengqian? The most fickle person in the world is the emperor.
Although they are brothers, they are not close enough to be open with each other. Li Tai and Li Chengqian are brothers of the same mother, but they still did not end up well, let alone his half-brother.
What's more, there is not much brotherly affection between them.
Li Chengqian ordered someone to serve tea. The maid brought the tea up and poured a cup for each of them. She stood by and waited for them to finish drinking and refill it at any time.
If there was no rule that no drinking and entertainment were allowed during the funeral, Li Chengqian would have asked someone to bring wine and food to entertain Wu Wang Li Ke.
"Now that my father has passed away not long ago, we cannot drink and have fun during the funeral. I will use tea instead of wine to toast you." Li Chengqian said, holding up the teacup in front of him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! I wish Your Majesty good health and long-lasting blessings." Li Ke raised the cup and the two drank it all.
Li Chengqian planned to use Li Ke. After all, the history books said that among all the sons of Emperor Taizong, only he and Li Tai were the most virtuous.
He wanted to see if this most virtuous prince could become his, Li Chengqian's right-hand man and his loyal minister.
Otherwise, no matter how talented he is, he can only be drowned in the long river of history, and eventually become a pearl covered in dust, just like Li Tai.
"I heard that you, my third brother, had a remarkable performance in governing the local government when you were in the fiefdom. You are worthy of being the pillar of our Tang Dynasty. If all the officials of our Tang Dynasty were like you, I could rest assured!" Li Chengqian said.
"Your Majesty, that's great! With my limited skills, I can only manage the prefectures and counties. How can I compare with my brother in governing the world?" Li Ke was humble and flattering Li Chengqian.
"Don't be humble, third brother. I have just ascended the throne and I need someone as capable as you to assist me in accomplishing my great cause."
"Tell me, if you were to assist me, how would you handle the government?" Li Chengqian said with a smile. Li
Chengqian asked this question just to test how capable Li Ke was. A person who could make Changsun Wuji jealous must be very capable.
Li Ke was immediately excited when he heard this. Although he was a prince and had made great achievements in governing local affairs, he also hoped to have enough space to display his abilities.
Although he was destined to have no chance of becoming an emperor in this life, it did not mean that he did not want to have more room for development and thus become famous for generations.
This was his best chance. As long as his talent could be recognized by the emperor, he could realize his ambitions in the future.
"In this case, I have made a fool of myself! In my opinion, now in the court..." Li Ke explained the situation of the court based on his own understanding of the current situation and his experience in local governance.
Starting from people's livelihood, economy, military and other aspects, Li Ke made an analysis of what needed to be changed and what should remain the same, as well as a certain degree of planning.
"These are my humble opinions!" Li Ke said so much in one breath, and his mouth was dry. He did not care about his image anymore, and drank the tea on the table.
"Good! Good!" Li Chengqian was overjoyed after hearing this, clapped his hands and laughed, "You have such unique insights, and you hit the nail on the head, pointed out the problem concisely, and made adjustments. You are really talented."
"I just need a talent like you. This time when you come to Beijing, you don't have to go back to your fiefdom, just stay in Chang'an to assist me!"
Li Chengqian has been the crown prince for more than 20 years. During this period, he has been the regent for many times, and he has been praised by the court and the people during his regent period.
Li Chengqian is also rich in political experience. Naturally, he can know what Li Ke's ability is through his eloquent talk about politics.
Therefore, he plans to keep Li Ke by his side and use him for his own use.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" Li Ke hurriedly thanked him. He has always wanted to return to the court and participate in the government.
Compared with his fiefdom, the court undoubtedly has greater room for development, and the crisis is also more terrifying.
"You have traveled a long way and have not had time to rest, but you went to pay homage to the late emperor's coffin. Now you have talked to me for so long, you must be exhausted! You should go back and rest early. We still have a long time to spend together as brothers, so there is no need to rush." Li Chengqian got the answer he wanted and did not intend to keep Li Ke here.
In addition to handling state affairs, Li Chengqian also had to go to the Liangyi Hall to take a look. After all, the late emperor's coffin was still there and had not been buried yet. As the late emperor's successor, he naturally needed to go to the coffin to wear mourning.
"I want to go to guard my father's coffin. I hope Your Majesty can allow me to stay in the Liangyi Hall." Li Ke stood up and saluted.
"Since you have this intention, then go! Anyway, Zhinu is the only one who is fulfilling his filial duty in front of the coffin. If there is another person, you can take his place to save him the trouble!" Li Chengqian said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Ke bowed and stepped back, heading to the Liangyi Hall to keep vigil for Li Er.