My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Chapter 30: The Story of the Turks, The Empress Recommends a Talented Man

Li Chengqian thought to himself that although his uncle was retired at home, he actually had a clear understanding of what was going on in the court.

Changsun Wuji sighed: "I personally experienced the Xuanwu Gate Incident and know how tragic it is for brothers to kill each other. Therefore, I hope that you and your brothers Li Tai and Li Zhi can live in harmony and be united and loving. We must never let the Xuanwu Gate Incident happen again."

Li Chengqian said solemnly, "Please rest assured, Uncle, I get along very well with Li Tai. No matter what he does in the future, I will forgive him."

"That's good. Only when you brothers are united will those ministers in the court who originally had ulterior motives not dare to make any moves."

"My uncle's teachings are correct."

After listening to Changsun Wuji's words, Li Chengqian pondered that Changsun Wuji seemed to maintain a neutral attitude towards him and Li Tai, without favoring either side.

Changsun Wuji looked at Li Chengqian with concern in his eyes: "Were you sick last time?"

"Oh, that was just a minor cold, I've already recovered."

"Recently, I've heard some things about you. Once, you had a bit of a disagreement with your father in the Zichen Palace. He got angry and picked up a whip to lash you."

"Yes." Li Chengqian thought to himself, "Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast."

"That's just how your father was. Now he's much better than before. Back then, when he was in the army, who dared to look him in the eye?"

However, the whole of Chang'an is buzzing about your affair with Chengxin. You must always remember your place. Chengxin is just a musician, so you should keep your distance from him. Of course, your uncle completely believes in you, and all the rumors are baseless.

"You've already undergone your coming-of-age ceremony and are no longer a child. Don't upset your father with these things anymore."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian looked embarrassed, but he could tell that his uncle meant well.

So he bowed again and said, "Uncle is absolutely right, I will remember it."

"Your father had some prejudice against the Turks and ordered the expulsion of all Turks in Chang'an."

Later, was it you who stopped this and got your father to retract his decree?

"Yes, your uncle has heard about it too?"

"My uncle has heard more than just these things. He has also heard that a Turk named Ashina She'er is engaged to Princess Hengyang, and it was you who brought them together."

"Exactly. They are a perfect match, a match made in heaven."

Changsun Wuji stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the hall. He slowly said, "I often deal with the Turks and know them very well."

They were a nomadic people, much like the Xiongnu of the past. They loved herding, and the men were naturally skilled at riding and archery. They also loved wrestling. It must be admitted that their riding and archery skills were far superior to those of us from the Central Plains.

However, they are often opportunistic and fickle.

During the Sui Dynasty, Nijuchuluo Khan of the Western Turks was driven away by Shekui Khan due to internal strife. With nowhere to go, he surrendered to the Sui Dynasty.

She Kui also submitted to the Sui Dynasty, but later they betrayed the Sui Dynasty.

In the past, the Eastern Turks were always bullied by the Western Turks and were driven out of their homes.

The Eastern Turks sought help from the Sui Dynasty.

The Sui Dynasty sent troops to aid the Eastern Turks, which enabled the Eastern Turks to gain a foothold. Therefore, Qimin Khan paid tribute to the Sui Dynasty every year, adhered to the etiquette of a subject, and was very loyal to the Sui Dynasty.

However, after Qimin Khan died, Ashina Duoji succeeded him as Shibi Khan, and the situation changed.

Shibi Khan had always disapproved of his father's submission to the Sui Dynasty.

Pei Ju, a minister of the Sui Dynasty, lured and killed Shi Shu Hu Xi, a senior minister of Shibi Khan, thus offending Shibi Khan.

Once, Emperor Yang of Sui was on an inspection tour when he was besieged at Yanmen by Shibi Khan's army of 100,000. They attacked the city day and night, and Emperor Yang was so anxious that he wanted to rush out of the city to fight them several times. It seemed that Yanmen was about to be breached. In the end, it was your father and Yun Dingxing who led troops to rescue him, and Emperor Yang was able to break through the siege.

Afterwards, although the Eastern Turks sent envoys to negotiate peace, the relationship between the Eastern Turks and the Sui Dynasty was not as good as before.

Taking advantage of the internal turmoil in the Sui Dynasty, Shibi Khan vigorously developed his military.

After Shibi Khan died, his younger brother Ashina Silifushe succeeded him as Chuluo Khan, who was the father of Ashina She'er.

However, his joy turned to sorrow, and he died after only two years in office, without achieving much.

After Chuluo Khan died, his younger brother Ashina Duobi succeeded him, becoming Jieli Khan;

He married Princess Yicheng, who had previously married Qimin Khan.

After Qimin Khan died, she married Shibi Khan;

After Shibi Khan died, she married Chuluo Khan.

After Chuluo Khan died, she eventually married Jieli Khan.

"Huh? She, a woman from the Central Plains, married a Turkic father and his four sons?" Li Chengqian was shocked and couldn't accept it.

"Yes, that's just how the customs are, there's nothing we can do about it."

"That must have been really tough on her."

"People often say that there is something hateful about a pitiful person. Princess Yicheng always felt that your grandfather and father had overthrown the Sui Dynasty, so she hated the Tang Dynasty very much. After she married Khagan Jieli, she incited Khagan Jieli to be an enemy of the Tang Dynasty and captured Mayi."

Under her instigation, Jieli Khan became ambitious. Since his accession to the throne, he has repeatedly invaded Yanmen and Mayi, and then invaded Lingzhou, Shuozhou, Bingzhou, Yuanzhou and Liangzhou. He led his troops to invade our Great Tang almost every year.

In the same year your father ascended the throne, Khagan Jieli and your father made the Wei River Alliance, but soon after, they broke the alliance and continued to invade the Tang Dynasty.

Jieli Khan was fickle and untrustworthy. In the first year of Zhenguan, Xue Yantuo's tribe, the Uyghurs and Bayegu, among others, could not stand Jieli Khan's behavior. They saw the rise and power of the Tang Dynasty and had to consider their own interests. Therefore, they all betrayed the Eastern Turkic Khaganate.

Tuli Khan also fought against him. Finally, last year, your father sent Li Jing to pacify the Eastern Turks. On his way to escape to Tuyuhun, Jieli Khan was captured by Zhang Baoxiang and taken to Chang'an.

Your father treated him very well; not only did he not kill him, but he also appointed him as the Right Guard General.

However, Princess Yicheng was killed by Li Jing.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian realized that there was such a connection between the Turks and the Tang Dynasty. However, Princess Yicheng's death was rather tragic; Li Jing was truly ruthless, capable of even harming a woman!

"The Turks are naturally uncouth, have little education, and are ignorant of etiquette. When they arrived in Chang'an, they did not follow the rules and often committed crimes such as theft and harassment of women. Such is their nature."

The saying goes, "To cut the weeds, one must pull out the roots." Although Khagan Jieli surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, the remnants of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate still existed. They still harbored the desire to restore the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and attempted to continue their resistance against the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, your father's order to expel the Turks was not entirely without reason.

Li Chengqian took a sip of tea, his eyes resolute, and slowly said, "Although Ashina She'er is the son of Chuluo Khan, I have had contact with him. He is different from ordinary Turks. I do not believe he is a spy for the Eastern Turks, nor does he have any intention of restoring the Eastern Turks."

"Uncle believes you have a good eye for people. If Ashina She'er is a hero and loyal to the Tang Dynasty, then it would be a good thing for the Tang Dynasty if he could marry Princess Hengyang."

night.

Lizheng Hall.

Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) was already asleep, while Empress Zhangsun was sitting at her desk reading.

The maid Cai Xiang ran in from outside and announced, "His Majesty has arrived."

"I understand, you may leave now," Empress Zhangsun said, rising to greet her.

"promise!"

Not long after, Li Shimin walked in.

Emperor Changsun stepped forward, took off his outer garment as usual, hung it up, and poured him a cup of hot tea.

Li Shimin sat down at the table, picked up his teacup and took a sip. For some reason, he always felt good whenever he saw Empress Zhangsun.

Empress Zhangsun's beauty was pleasing to his eye, but of course, that wasn't the most important thing. The most important thing was that Empress Zhangsun was very virtuous, knowledgeable, and reasonable.

When they got married, Li Shimin was sixteen years old and Empress Zhangsun was thirteen.

When Changsun Shi and Changsun Wuji were very young, their father, Changsun Sheng, had already died, and the two siblings were taken in and raised by their maternal uncle, Gao Shilian.

Gao Shilian and Li Yuan had a good relationship. Through their interactions, Gao Shilian discovered that Li Shimin was exceptionally talented, so he advocated that Lady Changsun be betrothed to Li Shimin.

After Li Shimin and Lady Zhangsun got married, the two were inseparable, deeply in love, and treated each other with utmost respect. From then on, Li Shimin also gained a good teacher and helpful friend.

Empress Zhangsun was different from ordinary women. She was well-read and exceptionally intelligent. In handling many matters, Li Shimin would consult her for advice, and Empress Zhangsun's opinions and solutions always satisfied him.

However, today, Li Shimin noticed that Empress Zhangsun's complexion was not very good.

"Empress, what's wrong? You don't look too well," Li Shimin said with concern.

"It's nothing. I'm just asking you, did you go hunting in Zhongnan Mountain a few days ago?" Empress Zhangsun looked at Li Shimin with sharp eyes.

"Uh, yes." Li Shimin's heart skipped a beat, wondering how she knew about this.

"Your Majesty, I'm not trying to criticize you, but you are now the emperor, the ruler of the country. How can you so easily take risks?"

What if you encounter wild animals like lions or tigers?

Who can guarantee your safety?

"What if something were to happen to you? What would become of the Tang Dynasty? What would become of your concubine and the children?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin understood that Empress Zhangsun was ostensibly blaming him, but actually showing concern: "I... I only go hunting occasionally. Staying in this palace all the time is getting rather boring."

"That won't do either. From now on, you are not allowed to go hunting or do anything dangerous."

"I understand."

"I'll ask you again, were you drunk that night?"

"Well, that's because I hunted some game that day, so I hosted a banquet for my ministers. Everyone kept toasting me, and before I knew it, I had drunk a couple more cups," Li Shimin explained.

"You're not eighteen anymore, and your alcohol tolerance is not what it used to be. I remember not long ago, I talked to you about this. You are the emperor, and you must always keep a clear head and be calm. How can you get drunk?"

This isn't good for your health either.

"The Empress is absolutely right."

"Did you lose the tiger tally that night?"

"Uh—," Li Shimin thought to himself that there was nothing in the palace that the Empress didn't know. Since she already knew, there was no need to hide it anymore. "Yes."

"You really did a terrible job. That tiger tally is such an important thing, how could you lose it?"

Fortunately, Ashina She'er only transferred two thousand cavalrymen. What if he had transferred twenty thousand troops?

I remember that back then, Xiang Yu led 30,000 cavalrymen to defeat Liu Bang's 560,000-strong allied army of feudal lords.

If Ashina She'er were to transfer tens of thousands of cavalry, he could roam the world freely. But what if he were to oppose the Tang Dynasty?

This is such a dangerous thing!

Ultimately, it's because you were drunk. If you hadn't been that drunk, would this have happened?

Li Shimin thought about it and felt a little scared: "Empress, don't worry, I guarantee it won't happen again."

"I have also heard that the tiger tally was stolen by your sister, Princess Hengyang. If you had agreed to lend two thousand cavalry to Ashina She'er, this would not have happened."

Princess Hengyang attempted suicide out of fear of punishment, but fortunately Chengqian arrived in time and saved her. If you had driven your own sister to her death because of this, how would the world view you?

Li Shimin's face flushed red and then turned pale, and he lowered his head without saying a word.

Empress Zhangsun placed her hands on her chest and paced back and forth in the room, saying earnestly, "Your Majesty, I know that it is not easy for you. Being an emperor is difficult enough, but to be a wise ruler is even more difficult. Every day is like walking on thin ice, and you must be careful with your words and actions at all times. The slightest negligence could lead to disaster."

"Empress, I promise you, I will never drink so much wine again." Li Shimin also deeply understood the principle that drinking can lead to mistakes.

"I hope you remember what you said today."

Li Shimin put down his teacup, pondered for a moment, and said, "Empress, recently, I have been thinking about something."

"What is it?"

Li Shimin's expression showed slight worry: "Chengqian is the Crown Prince, and Fang Xuanling is the Duke of Wei and the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. However, I always feel that Chengqian and Fang Xuanling are not that close. What do you think should be done about this?"

"Didn't you want Chengqian to keep his distance from his ministers? Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

"That being said, Fang Xuanling is different from other ministers. He is well-versed in the classics and history, has good strategies, and is extremely loyal to me."

When I first met him, it was like Liu Bang meeting Xiao He. He was my chief steward. Whenever I eliminated a separatist force, while everyone else was busy looting gold and silver, he was always organizing documents, books, and household registration files. His management of taxes and collection of funds were no less than Xiao He's.

He was the mastermind behind the Xuanwu Gate Incident; without his advice and strategies, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

If Chengqian were to spend more time with him, he would certainly benefit greatly.

Empress Zhangsun and Fang Xuanling had a very good relationship, so she suggested to Li Shimin, "Since that's the case, why don't you appoint him as the Crown Prince's tutor?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin clapped his hands and laughed, "You're right, that's a very good idea. I will issue an edict immediately to send Fang Xuanling to the Eastern Palace to be Chengqian's teacher."