Chapter 419: Three Requests All Refused

Luoyang. After Li Yuan ascended the throne, it was the first time he visited the Eastern Capital of the previous dynasty.

Li Yuanhui sent people to clean the imperial city and the palace city in advance, especially the Taiji Hall where the emperor lived, which was also renovated in order to welcome Li Yuan's arrival.

Compared with Chang'an, Luoyang City is more majestic in architecture and its palaces are also very magnificent.

During the previous dynasty, Li Yuan also lived in Luoyang for a long time, but after becoming emperor, he had a different feeling when looking at this most magnificent city in the world.

He even wanted to move the court here.

But just think about it.

The Tang Dynasty's base is in Guanzhong, and Luoyang is now adjacent to Hebei, which means it is on the front line. Having the capital in Luoyang means losing strategic depth.

It would be extremely embarrassing to move back because of the war.

Therefore, Luoyang can only be regarded as an important strategic stronghold for advancing into Hebei.

On the other hand, Li Yuan was even more resolute. A city like Luoyang must be guarded by a prince. Even if the fourth prince was taken away this time, the third prince should be transferred here as soon as possible. Luoyang City has a population of one million and is home to a large number of aristocratic families. It cannot be controlled without an important person.

Li Yuan walked into the palace, accompanied by Li Yuanhui and Chai Rong, and entered the Taiji Hall. Li Yuan was very satisfied with the decoration of the palaces in Luoyang, "Silang, you are thoughtful. The majesty of this palace is not inferior to the Taiji Hall in Chang'an."

Li Yuanhui said: "It was arranged by the Princess of Qi and her people."

Li Yuan nodded when he heard this. This made sense. How could a princess from the previous dynasty not know how to decorate the palace?

After all, Li Yuan was old, and after walking around the palace he felt a little tired. Li Yuanhui also noticed it, and took the initiative to suggest that he go to rest first.

Li Yuan smiled and agreed, letting them go and have fun. He felt a little sleepy so he went back first.

After the emperor left, Li Yuanhui ordered people to lead the King of Chu and the King of Wei to the residences prepared for them, and then left the palace with his brother-in-law.

When passing by the palace gate, Li Yuanhui met an acquaintance, the General of the Left Guards and the Commandant of the Imperial Concubine Pei Xingyan.

Pei Xingyan and Li Yuanhui were double relatives. Pei Xingyan was the son of Pei Minzhi. After returning to Tang, he was valued by Li Yuan for his bravery and was even married to his daughter, Princess Wan'an. So Pei Xingyan was actually Li Yuanhui's brother-in-law.

But Li Yuanhui married Pei Minzhi's daughter Pei Yu as his wife. Although she was not the principal wife, she was a second-rank county lady and her status was quite respected, so Li Yuanhui could be considered Pei Xingyan's brother-in-law.

Since we have this kind of relationship, it is natural to exchange a few pleasantries when we meet.

Pei Xingyan no longer had the arrogance of the past, and immediately greeted him, "Greetings to the King of Qi. Duke of Qiao."

"Brother Pei, you don't have to be so polite. We are real relatives. There is no need for so much formality."

Although Pei Xingyan was the emperor's son-in-law, he understood the special status of the legitimate sons, the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Qi, in the Tang Dynasty. In addition, he could not compare with Chai Rong, who was also a son-in-law.

These were all important members of the entrepreneurial team in the early Tang Dynasty. In fact, they, father and son, joined the team too late. Although he, as the General of the Central Army, served as the emperor's guard and had a respected status, he was actually just a nobleman without any real power.

Pei Xingyan, who always prided himself on his bravery, also hoped to achieve merit on horseback, but unfortunately he rarely had the opportunity.

In the Tang Dynasty, the only ones who can currently lead large armies into battle are the King of Jin and the King of Qi.

But he had nothing to do with the King of Jin. Although he was related to the King of Qi, he could not defect to him because Li Yuan regarded him as his confidant. At the same time, the forces in the Prince of Qi's palace were all warriors from Huainan and the Central Plains, nobles from Luoyang, and gentry from Shandong.

But although their Pei family originated in Hedong, they have been rooted in Guanzhong for many years and are a member of the Guanlong family.

This is also the reason why Li Yuan valued and married his daughter.

Despite this, Pei Xingyan was still happier to see Li Yuanhui. Li Yuanhui even invited him to visit his house another day. Pei Xingyan hesitated for a moment but finally agreed.

On the second day, Li Yuanhui brought several important subordinates, Li Qinglian, Li Baishi, and Dugu Ying, to the palace to see the emperor. After entering the palace, many ministers, prime ministers, generals, princes of the royal family, and noble dukes all arrived. Li Yuanhui asked Li Qinglian and Li Baishi to report on the military and political affairs respectively.

Especially when it came to government affairs, even when several prime ministers questioned him, Li Baishi still spoke eloquently and clearly.

Even Li Yuan secretly praised him in his heart, thinking that he was truly a talent worthy of being a prime minister.

After the performance was finished, Li Yuan was just about to say a few words of praise as a closing remark, when someone jumped out.

King Wei Li Xiaozheng directly raised the question in court, why Li Yuanhui adjusted the defense on the eve of Li Yuan's arrival and transferred more than 30 Zhechoufu of the Left and Right Wuwei to Lianghuai.

It's just short of saying directly and clearly that you want to have your own army and authority?
Li Yuan was also a little dissatisfied with Li Xiaozheng who jumped out to stir up trouble. Is this the right occasion to say this? It's too rash.
But he also wanted to see how Li Yuanhui would answer.

Li Yuanhui was calm after hearing this. He just glanced at him and said, "Military and national affairs are beyond your knowledge."

He just replied with eight words, not a single word more.

After hearing this, Li Xiaozheng's face turned red.

Because in the court, Li Yuanhui was the Minister of the Chancellery, the General of Heavenly Strategy, the Grand Commandant, and the General of the Left Guard.
Who do you think you are to question me? You don't even have the thought of making up an excuse or finding a reason to talk to me about military and national affairs? What gives you the right? Who do you think you are?
Seeing this, Li Yuan coughed twice, and the eunuch beside him announced the adjournment of the court. However, another eunuch then summoned the King of Qi to make a private statement.

Walking in the corridor of the palace, there were only the father and son. Li Yuan advised earnestly: "Although the sixth son is unruly, you should give him some face. After all, you are still brothers. Although he is a concubine's son..."

"I see."

Li Yuanhui agreed casually, although it was a bit perfunctory, but Li Yuan could not continue to talk about this matter. He changed the subject and began to talk about the purpose of this visit.

"You have stayed here long enough. Come back to Chang'an with me in a few days."

"it is good."

"."

Li Yuan didn't expect Li Yuanhui to agree so readily, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

After a long silence between the father and son, Li Yuanhui said, "I can go back to Chang'an, but I can't stay there forever. I understand your concerns, but if you want me to be a fish on the chopping board, that won't work."

After hearing this, Li Yuan frowned. He didn't know what to say. After a while, he said, "How come you are on the chopping board? Who dares to touch you when I am here? Besides, you and Erlang are brothers, so what are you worried about?"

Li Yuanhui said: "Emperor Wen of Han and King Li of Huainan are brothers, and Emperor Wen of Wei and King Wei of Rencheng and King Si of Chen are also brothers. Right now, my second brother and I have a deep brotherly relationship, but what about the future?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan was speechless. As for Emperor Wen of Han and King of Huainan Liu Chang, there was no need to explain them. Both were sons of Liu Bang. After Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he treated Liu Chang with "good intentions."

As for how Cao Pi treated his brothers, it was a classic among classics.

Li Yuanhui directly revealed all these and laid them out in the open, which made Li Yuan at a loss for words.

"How about I return to Jianghuai, my homeland. When I conquer Jiangdong in the future, I will become a vassal in the South and guard Jianye. What do you think?"

Li Yuan frowned when he heard this but said nothing.

Li Yuanhui continued: "How about giving me food and supplies, and I will lead my men and horses westward to the Western Regions?"

Li Yuan still didn't say anything.

"Then I will go to Shu?"

After listening to this, Li Yuan said after a while:
".You go to Hedong."

(End of this chapter)