Chapter 16 Surrender
Yang Guang looked at Li Jiancheng and saw that he was a little hesitant. He didn't know how to win him over. He especially needed someone like this who could help him communicate with his mother.

It is difficult to enter the harem. He is an adult and has children. He is not allowed to enter without being summoned. Although it is more convenient for the princess, it is not good for her to come and go often and attract attention.

Li Jiancheng was still young and a relative of the Queen Mother, but he was already employed in the palace. Most importantly, he was trusted by the Queen Mother.

Of course, his identity is also very important. He is the eldest son of the Li family. When Li Yuan is not in Beijing, he is the representative of the Li family. Maybe the Li family is not prominent in the court now, but it can influence many families.

"Jiancheng, what are your ambitions?"

Li Jiancheng said solemnly: "Jiancheng only hopes to be like Duke Qi and Duke Yue who defeated the enemy and conquered the Turks for the country and restored the family's reputation with meritorious service!"

Yang Guang clapped his hands and praised: "Good young man, you are worthy of being the noble son of the Li family. Your uncle also hopes that you can get what you want."

"Jiancheng, it's always difficult to make achievements in the palace. If there is a chance in the future, would you be willing to serve under your uncle? Although I can't let you conquer the Turks for the time being, there are still some bandits that you can practice military tactics with."

Li Jiansheng stood up and saluted, saying, "There is no need to wait until the future. I am willing to serve my uncle right now, even if it means going through fire and water!"

Yang Guang was silent for a moment and said, "Jiancheng, you must really think it through. This is a very serious matter."

"Uncle, Jiancheng is not a naughty boy, nor is he acting on impulse. Although the Queen is still a little hesitant, she is generally in favor of you. And in my opinion, uncle is a man of both literary and military skills, and is the most deserving of the throne."

"Okay! I will never let you down. In the future, I will let you realize your ambitions and restore the family's prestige."

Yang Guang was not afraid that Li Jiancheng would cheat him. It was just a verbal agreement. Whether he believed it or not depended on how he would act in the future. If he really did what he instructed, he would not be able to regret it.

Yang Guang stood up and accepted Li Jiancheng's greeting. He then stopped being polite and said bluntly, "With the Duke of Qi here, the position of Crown Prince cannot be easily changed. You must find a way to persuade your mother to abandon Gao Zuo."

"I wonder if Your Highness has any dealings with the Duke of Yue?"

Seeing Yang Guang shaking his head, Li Jiancheng said, "It's not enough to rely on the queen alone. The Duke of Qi has been the left prime minister for more than ten years. The tree is big and the roots are deep. Your Highness should contact the Duke of Yue. He is the one who wants the Duke of Qi to fall the most."

"The Duke of Yue is more talented than virtuous. He likes to do extraordinary things and achieve extraordinary achievements. He has been suppressed by the Duke of Qi in the court for more than ten years. I am afraid he has been tempted for a long time."

Yang Guang looked at Li Jiancheng in surprise and said, "It is not easy for me to interact with important officials in the court while I am in the capital. All the confidants who can interact with Yang Su are in Jiangdu. It will take some time to transfer them here."

Li Jiancheng cupped his hands and said, "My nephew has a close relationship with the legitimate son of the Duke of Yue, Yang Jishan. He also did some favors for the Yang family some time ago. The Duke of Yue is powerful and might not be able to have a private conversation with him, but his brother, the Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple, Yang Yue, should be able to meet and talk."

"I don't want to settle the matter in one word, but I want to test the Duke of Yue's intentions. It won't be too late to make an alliance when your highness's confidants arrive."

Yang Guang suddenly sighed and said, "Qilin'er, it's a pity that I only have one daughter now, and she has already been promised to Yuwen Shiji. They will get married in a few months. Otherwise, I will definitely become your father-in-law and son-in-law."

"Jiancheng, Yang Yue is a quiet and greedy person. You can promise Yang Yue and his brother on my behalf that you will definitely get this done."

"promise."

Yang Guang held Li Jiancheng's hand tightly as they left the palace. He also instructed the officers and soldiers guarding the gate, "Jiancheng is my dearest nephew. From now on, he can come directly into the palace without being informed. You must treat him with respect. If he is disrespectful, I will not forgive him!"

.........

It was already dusk, and Li Jiancheng couldn't possibly go to the Duke of Yue's mansion at this time. Wouldn't that mean he would have to stay in someone else's house? So he could only return home first.

The Prince of Jin's Mansion was not far from the Duke of Guo's Mansion, with Tonghuafang sandwiched between the two houses. They soon arrived at their home. The steward came up to them and said, "My lord, you are back. The palace has been giving out rewards these past two days, and I'm a little scared." Last night, Li Jiancheng was dragged by Yang Jishan to rest in Canxia Tower, so he only remembered that there should be gold and silk rewards from the emperor yesterday.

The steward reported: "Yesterday, His Majesty gave us a hundred ounces of gold and a thousand rolls of silk. The Crown Prince and the King of Han also gave us two carts of gold and silver objects. Just now, the Queen also gave us a cart of books and thirty servants."

As he was speaking, there was another noise at the door, and the person who came in said, "I am here on the orders of the King of Jin to present a small gift to your eldest son."

The chief steward hurried to receive him, and Li Jiancheng also went to thank him in person. After all, he would have to beg for food under this man for at least a dozen years.

While he was looking at the gift list, Dou also came out after hearing the news. Li Jiancheng stepped forward to pay his respects and handed over the gift list.

After reading it, Mrs. Dou said, "It is a family gift. It also contains scar-removing medicine. It is said that the Princess of Jin is kind and considerate. It is true. It seems that my son has got what he wanted. I will write to your father later. This is a big event that concerns the whole family."

Li Jiancheng said: "Mother, please explain a few words for me. It is really forced by the situation."

Dou laughed and said, "My son, are you afraid that your father will come back in a few months?"

Li Jiancheng pulled Dou's sleeve and begged for mercy for a long time before she agreed. However, Dou also warned: "Don't do this again in the future. How can you make such a big decision on your own?"

The mother and son returned to the backyard. Dou took the one-month-old son from the nurse and said to Li Jiancheng, "You, as the elder brother, have no pity for the younger brother. You come and go without a trace all day. Come, hold me."

Li Jiancheng took the swaddling clothes. Erlang was very white, plump and strong, and his arms and legs were even strong. Everything went according to plan, and he had enough confidence to face this little brother. Otherwise, he would still be a little reluctant to see him, fearing that he would take a low path that would end once and for all.

Dou looked at the two brothers for a while and said, "Although the prince is not of the highest caliber and has an ordinary personality, he is not without talent or virtue. What a pity."

Li Jiancheng said: "Being straightforward and unpretentious may be a good quality for ordinary people, but for a position like the crown prince, it is the biggest mistake."

"Now that he has fallen out of favor with his father and out of love with his mother, no one can help him."

Li Jiancheng had no ill feelings towards Yang Yong. To be honest, he also hoped that Yang Yong could become the emperor. There would be nothing wrong with him safely inheriting the title of Duke of Tang. Unfortunately, this man was already in his thirties or forties, and was still so naive and willful.

Many old ministers who were there to protect the prince advised the emperor and empress that if the prince had the guidance of wise men, he would be able to inherit the imperial career.

But how could the emperor and empress trust the so-called wise men? Yang Jian himself had served as a minister of state, and everyone knew the result.

The Prince of Jin is ambitious but is hiding his ambitions. The Emperor and Empress are not completely unaware of this, but isn't this a good thing? How can he rule the world if he doesn't have this little ability?

"Mother, are there any famous fortune tellers in Chang'an recently?"

"I heard from someone that there is a fortune teller from Bashu who is very good at fortune telling and is currently staying at the Xuandu Temple in Chongyefang."

During this period, Buddhism and Taoism had a strong influence on princes, nobles, and peddlers. In particular, the current emperor was a devout believer in Buddhism and Taoism. He grew up in Buddhism, and the name of the Kaihuang era was taken from Taoist scriptures. There are now 36 Taoist temples in Chang'an, all of which were built by the emperor's order.

Li Jiancheng made a note that he might need these people soon.

...............

(End of this chapter)