The weather was getting colder, and the trees throughout Chang'an city were becoming bare as their yellow leaves were blown away by the wind in the streets and alleys. There was no longer the splendor of the past, but a desolate atmosphere.
The withered yellow leaves continue to create a prosperous era for Chang'an City as merchants from all over the world come and go. No matter how cold the weather is or how bare the trees are, it can't reduce the merchants' enthusiasm for profit.
Taiyi City also seemed to be a lot busier than in previous years. Truckloads of goods slowly drove out of the Chang'an city gate, leaving a trail of shallow ruts on the cement-paved official road.
The days begin to become shorter and shorter. At this time of summer, the sun still has a smiling face, mischievously unwilling to set down the mountain and go home.
And now, the stars have already impatiently poked out their bright eyes in the dim sky, driving away the sun that has already set into the horizon, occupying the sky above Chang'an City.
Today, all the civil officials and military officers were wearing brand new casual clothes, accompanied by servants and holding gifts in their hands, and they slowly walked towards the Daming Palace.
There seemed to be more Jinwu guards at the gate of the imperial city today than usual, and the inspections had become more stringent.
Even the gifts brought into the palace had to be carefully checked and registered.
Xu Jingzong, Li Yifu, Shangguan Yi, Yang Sijian, Zong Chuke, Jing Hui, several officials of the Eastern Palace, or officials of Jingzhao Prefecture and the Ministry of Revenue, needless to say, all knew that these people had very close relationships with the prince.
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Zhang Jianzhi also had a smile on his face. He had always been on good terms with Di Renjie, so naturally he would go to the Daming Palace with him today.
After the fish token and token were checked and confirmed to be correct, he slowly walked into the Linde Hall under the guidance of the ceremonial officer and the eagle-eyed watchful eyes of the Imperial Guards.
This place, which was used by the Tang Dynasty to entertain ministers, envoys from various countries, and enjoy singing and dancing, is decorated with lights and is full of joy today, but at the same time it seems to carry a solemn and murderous atmosphere.
A hall that could accommodate a hundred people was filled with tables, chairs and benches. Nameplates of officials were placed on each table, arranged in order of rank from front to back. This was unlike the past, when officials of lower rank would occasionally rush to the front after drinking too much.
The ten banquet music pieces represent the highest musical attainments of the Tang Dynasty. At this moment, the female musician is in a corner of the hall, and like a drizzle, silently, she is immersing the entire magnificent, luxurious and noble hall with elegant music.
It is said that in two days, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will fulfill the prophecy and go to the four towns of Anxi to fight the enemies and make great achievements. But until now, no one, whether in the court or in private, knows how His Majesty appointed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
The chief military commander of Anxi Road? Commanding the entire Tang army in the Western Regions? Or the deputy chief military commander? Following the orders of Pei Xingjian, the Grand Protector of Anxi Protectorate?
Or would he be like Xue Rengui and Heichi Changzhi, leading an army, appointed as the general by the prince, and continue to obey the command of Pei Xingjian?
Today is a happy and festive day. Wu Mei's forehead is full of black lines, and she is trying hard to suppress her unique skill of Nine Yin White Bone Claw.
Li Zhi, however, seemed to see nothing and put his arm around the shoulders of the Crown Prince, who was almost as nervous as him, not caring at all about the ponytail that was hanging upright behind his head.
"Today, my father and the ministers are holding a banquet to celebrate your respite from the expedition. You are not allowed to play any tricks on me." Li Zhi and Li Hong walked forward, muttering to each other.
Behind her was Wu Mei, with black lines all over her forehead. Behind her were the princes Li Zhong, Li Shangjin, Li Sujie, Li Xian, Li Zhe, and even the youngest Li Dan was among them.
There are only three princesses in the royal family now: Princess Yiyang, Princess Gaoan, and Princess Taiping, who has just learned to walk and babbled.
Today, the entire palace is busy preparing for the expedition of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Li Hong to the Western Regions soon. Naturally, the princes and princesses will see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince off at today's banquet.
"Then why don't you just not let me go? I don't want to go either. As the saying goes: One should not travel far away while his parents are still alive. I can't bear to leave you and mother." Li Hong pursed his lips, as if he was really reluctant.
"Alas... I can't do anything. You saw the prophecy a few days ago. If you don't go out, I'm afraid there will be discord between you brothers in the future. Your father doesn't want you to be like me after you ascend the throne, without a single brother by your side." Li Zhi patted Li Hong's shoulder and comforted him helplessly.
"No, father. Even if I don't go out, we will get along well. Can't you see it? We often play together when we have nothing to do." Li Hong continued to pretend to refuse.
"Haven't you always hoped to be like your grandfather, a wise and brave emperor with excellent civil and military skills? If you don't go out, if you have never fought a war like your father, how can you convince the people in the future?"
"How could that be? Look, they still don't listen to you even now. You are the emperor..."
Before Li Hong could finish his words, Wu Mei, who was listening from behind, stretched out her jade hand, grabbed his ear and pulled him over.
"Your Majesty, you have almost finished talking to Hong'er. I also want to give him a few words of advice." Wu Mei grabbed Li Hong's ear, smiled charmingly at Li Zhi, and said.
"Okay, then you can enlighten Hong'er for me. Although Hong'er is filial and respectful, as the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, how can he stay in the Eastern Palace forever? Naturally, he needs to be tempered on the battlefield." Li Zhi turned his head to look at the mother and son and said solemnly.
After saying this, he motioned to Gao An to bring Taiping over, held her in his arms and teased her as they continued walking towards the Linde Hall.
Wu Mei and Li Hong were mother and son, and they understood each other's thoughts and slowly fell to the end. The palace maids and eunuchs behind them were also pushed far away by them.
Li Xian and others were naturally forced to follow Li Zhi and continue moving forward.
"You little bastard, why are you pretending to be yourself? Don't think I don't know your little tricks. It's fine if you deceive your father, but you're even taking advantage of him. What? Do you want your father to beg you?" Wu Mei continued to pull Li Hong's ears and lectured him.
"Mother, how can you say that to me? I just can't bear to... Ouch, it hurts. Please be gentler. If you pull my ears again, they will really become very long." Li Hong grimaced, cried out in pain and begged for mercy.
"You troublesome little bastard, how many times can I pull your ears? Once you leave, you won't be back for a year or so. What's wrong with pulling your ears? If you want me to pull them in the future, I, your mother, can't even reach you." Wu Mei's expression was filled with reluctance and contradiction.
"We have to go anyway. It's better to go now than later. What's more, since Liaodong no longer needs troops, the military strength of our Tang Dynasty is enough to cope with it in Anxi. Mother, you don't have to worry about me." Li Hong saw the reluctance and weakness in Wu Mei's eyes, put his arm around her shoulders and comforted her.
"Alas, I don't know how I could have given birth to such a troublesome thing like you. The prophecy was made up for you by Li Chunfeng. Then tell me, was what Li Chunfeng said later about there being no problem on this trip made up, or was it based on astrology?" There was still worry in Wu Mei's eyes, and she continued to ask worriedly.
At this moment, Li Hong was gazing into Wu Mei's eyes, and he felt as if he had returned to his childhood, wandering in the warm ocean of maternal love. The warm embrace and the soft whispers made him intoxicated both physically and mentally, and he wished he could enjoy them forever.
It wasn't until Wu Mei reached out and pinched his waist that Li Hong reacted.
"You little bastard was distracted while talking to your mother. What were you thinking about? Let me ask you, is it true or false that Li Chunfeng observed the stars and predicted that this trip would be auspicious or not? Or did you instruct him to make it up?" Wu Mei asked Li Hong, staring at him as she knew her son best.
"How could it be possible that I ordered it? I don't understand astrology, so I can't order it even if I want to. What's more, even if I ordered it, you asked him, would he dare to lie to you? He doesn't want to live anymore, so he lied to you about astrological observation." Li Hong continued to put his arm around Wu Mei's shoulders and said comfortingly.
At this moment, Wu Mei was like an ordinary loving mother, nodding thoughtfully and muttering: "So, this trip will not be dangerous, right?"
"That's right. This guy's fortune-telling and astrological divination have rarely been used in recent years, but it seems to come true every time. It should be quite accurate." Li Hong shook Wu Mei's shoulders and continued, "Okay, mother, don't worry. Are you still worried about my martial arts now? Remember that day in the court, Yang Wu and I fought in front of all the ministers. We fought for hundreds of rounds, but I didn't lose the upper hand at all..."
"In the end, weren't you brought to my palace like a chick? If you were not the prince, why don't you try? Ten of you would not be enough for Yangwu to fight alone. By the way, you must always keep Lawless, Hua Meng and Mangzhong by your side. Jingzhe and Liebao are not here, so I won't say much. As for Xiazhi and Xiaoxue, your mother will send Banmei and Xunlan to you tomorrow, and let the four of them serve you." Wu Mei spoke more and more attentively, and began to give instructions.
"No need, mother. Xia Zhi and Xiao Xue are enough. Besides, it is not appropriate to have women in the army..." Li Hong said in embarrassment.
But he was interrupted by Wu Mei halfway through his words: "Hey, what's wrong with you, Li Hong? Do you have to go against me? What's wrong with women? Who told you that women are not suitable to appear in the army? Your royal grandfather's sister, Princess Pingyang, followed Emperor Gaozu to start an uprising against the Sui Dynasty. Wasn't she not as good as other men in conquering the east and the west? Or were her military exploits not as prominent as those of men? Her deeds of guarding the 'Weize Pass' are still talked about with relish. How do you think that the title of female hero and heroine is inferior to that of men? No objection is allowed, it is settled. Banmei and Xunlan will go there tomorrow. If you dare to return, I will let you go to the Western Regions!"
After Wu Mei finished speaking, she angrily poked Li Hong's forehead several times with her fingers.
Li Hong felt dizzy after being poked. He looked down on women in front of the empress and was just looking for trouble. He deserved to be scolded.
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