"Alright, the envoy from Xiliang is already in Luoyang. This matter has dragged on for so long. Now, both Liao and Baiyue have sent people to arrange marriages, and the conditions they are offering are even better than those from Xiliang. I wonder if any of you ministers have any suggestions?"
After Li Qi finished speaking, he observed the reactions of the civil and military officials…
Li Zhu had initially approached the scene with a detached, spectator's attitude, expecting the civil and military officials to erupt into chaos. However, he never anticipated that his adoptive father, the emperor, would suddenly shift the topic and drag him into the fray...
"Father, are you saying they've also come to propose marriage?"
Li Zhu looked at his adoptive father, the emperor, with some uncertainty and asked…
“That’s right, and they’re waiting outside…”
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Li Zhu felt an urge to curse. Was he really going to be a useless tool?
Li Zhu recalled his previous life, in which the Liao Kingdom accepted Shi Jingtang's request and treated him as a puppet emperor. After Shi Jingtang died, his successor fought a three-year war against the Liao Kingdom, which eventually conquered the Central Plains...
However, the Liao Dynasty was incapable of governing the Central Plains, leading to frequent uprisings across the country. Ultimately, they were forced to withdraw. But during their retreat, they allowed their 300,000-strong army to plunder innocent civilians, looting the entire Central Plains. Just thinking about it is too tragic...
Li Zhu had no goodwill towards the Liao Kingdom. If he had the ability, he would definitely lead his troops to fight them, since the Liao Kingdom had been an inseparable part of China since ancient times.
As for the Baiyue region, it may seem like a wild and untamed land now, but in later generations it will be known as a land of fertile soil, mainly because it has abundant water resources, making it suitable for rice cultivation, allowing for two harvests a year. If he can obtain this land, he can find a way to guarantee the grain yield...
The civil and military officials were also surprised that the Liao and Baiyue kingdoms would send envoys to visit. It was clear that if the new Tang and Western Liang joined forces, it would put unbearable pressure on them...
The New Tang Dynasty conquered the world through warfare, so its fighting power was naturally incredibly strong. If it were to acquire the cavalry of Xiliang, it would be an absolute nightmare for others...
"Father, I believe that my second and third brothers could also participate in the marriage alliance. This would directly stabilize the borders and allow us to focus on resolving internal problems..."
Since I'm already a tool, if I don't take this opportunity to drag my two younger brothers into this mess, when will I ever get around to it?
"Father, you mustn't..."
The second prince immediately jumped out to object!
"Father, I also believe that the Crown Prince's words were inappropriate..."
The Third Prince said with a gloomy face, he had originally intended to let his subordinates take the lead, but he didn't expect Li Zhu to drag him into the war, which made him grit his teeth in hatred...
“My two younger brothers, I, as the Crown Prince, can be sent as a hostage, so why can’t you? Do you think the Crown Prince is unimportant, or are you unwilling to make sacrifices for the New Tang Dynasty?”
Li Zhu's words were truly devastating; no matter how they answered, it was wrong, leaving both of them almost red-faced with embarrassment…
"Your Highness is mistaken. A prince can be a hostage, but not a second one. If the second and third princes are also sent as hostages, it will not only diminish the prestige of our New Tang Dynasty, but also make people think that New Tang is weak and easy to bully. It will also bring danger to the princes who are hostages abroad. Your Highness does not want your trip to Xiliang to become a trip to your death, does he?"
Just then, an old man stood up and retorted, putting Li Zhu in a passive position for the entire afternoon. This made Li Zhu realize that the wisdom of the ancients was not to be underestimated; they could easily leave you speechless!
"Grand Tutor Jiang is right..."
Even the Emperor couldn't help but agree, which made Li Zhu secretly roll his eyes. This was clearly favoring the second and third sons, not because he thought the other side's words made sense.
However, Li Zhu could understand, after all, this Grand Tutor Jiang was the maternal grandfather of the Third Prince, and the Third Prince's mother, Consort Jiang, was this Grand Tutor's daughter...
Moreover, the Jiang clan is a prominent family with a long history, dating back to the Zhou Dynasty. Their heritage is naturally profound, and their influence in the imperial court is unimaginable.
When Grand Tutor Jiang spoke, the entire court couldn't help but turn their attention to him. After all, he hadn't expressed any opinion during the past few days of Li Zhu's antics, but now he spoke up to refute him, clearly wanting Li Zhu to realize his own status and stop making futile struggles, and just obediently become a hostage...
"Since the Grand Tutor thinks what I said was inappropriate, I wonder if the Grand Tutor has any good plans to change the current situation?"
Since everyone else was already attacking him head-on, Li Zhu naturally wouldn't tolerate it. He had to fight back. As for the consequences, that didn't matter. He just wanted to have some fun first!
"drag…"
Grand Tutor Jiang replied succinctly, then stood there closing his eyes to rest, ignoring Li Zhu completely, clearly showing his contempt for the Crown Prince Li Zhu!
"They've already come and blocked the door, how much longer do you expect to delay?"
Li Zhu said irritably!
"My dear ministers, please calm down!"
The Emperor, not wanting the two to continue arguing, had no choice but to intervene, and then continued...
"Now that the Liao and Baiyue envoys have arrived, let's observe their intentions before deciding how to respond..."
"Announce the envoys of the Liao Kingdom! Announce the envoys of the Baiyue Kingdom!"
As the sound gradually spread, the envoys from Liao and Baiyue arrived at the main hall!
"Liao envoy Yelü Ti..."
"Lady Xiao..."
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor of the New Tang Dynasty..."
"Tian Can, the envoy from Baiyue..."
“Tian Ling…”
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor of the New Tang Dynasty..."
Li Zhu looked at the envoys from both countries in the main hall. The Liao men's clothing had obvious nomadic characteristics, but the beautiful woman behind them had her face veiled and wore a white Han Chinese dress. Even so, it could not hide her fair skin, and one could imagine her beauty even through the veil...
The Baiyue envoy beside her was dressed in distinct ethnic minority attire, while the beautiful woman behind her was also dressed in her finest attire, adorned with silver ornaments. The sunlight reflected off her, creating a soft, shimmering silver glow that made her even more dazzling. These silver ornaments, far from overshadowing her beauty, actually accentuated her radiance…
Li Zhu was momentarily mesmerized, his earlier objections to the marriage alliance long forgotten. He now felt that forming a marriage alliance with these two countries didn't seem so bad after all…
He compromised for the stability of the new Tang Dynasty, absolutely not for his own lofty ideal of becoming a 'wise ruler'...
right…
That's exactly right. He was absolutely not lusting after the two beauties; he was an upright and pure person...
"Gentlemen, you have traveled a long way, and I presume you have not yet experienced the prosperity of our New Tang Dynasty. Tonight, the Imperial Palace will host a banquet to welcome you..."
The emperor laughed heartily, appearing very happy…
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The four people replied in unison…
"Your Majesty, I have brought Princess Xiao, the beauty of Liao, with me to arrange a marriage. I wonder what Your Majesty's plans are?"
Yelü Ti was also a straightforward person, and he stated the purpose of his trip directly!
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