Chapter 205 The Founding of the Tang Dynasty
Two days later, Li Yuanji brought Wang Shichong to the capital. Li Jiancheng also received him in the Wude Hall and conferred on him the title of Yinqing Guanglu Dafu and Taixinfeng Hou of Hongnong County.

He was ordered to lead his troops to eliminate the bandits in Hongnong and Shangluo counties. Wang Shichong, Marquis of Xinfeng, had only been in the capital for one day when he immediately took the order and left.

Wang Shichong was very dissatisfied with his official position. As a defeated general, he was so much lower than Li Mi. It was obvious that he was inferior in background.

However, Wang Shichong was a smart man. He ignored the remarks of his subordinates who encouraged him to defect. With the power of the King of Tang at this point, there was no place for them in the world.

The title of Marquis of Xinfeng is not as prestigious as that of Duke, but with the position of Prefect of Hongnong, there is still much room for him to achieve in the long run.

When Yang Guang ascended the throne, didn't he also vigorously promote the Guanlong nobles who were suppressed by Emperor Wen? But after he had been on the throne for a long time, it was inevitable that he would start to suppress Guanlong again and promote others.

The next day, Wang Shichong publicly executed the generals under his command who had instigated rebellion, declaring that he was loyal to the King of Tang and would never rebel until his death. Anyone who dared to rebel again would also be killed without mercy!

Duke of Wei, Li Jing, also brought good news. He had captured the two brothers Yu Wenhua and sent troops to escort the regicide criminal back to the capital to be handed over to the King of Tang for trial and sentencing.

In fact, Yu Wenzhi, like Yang Guang, also prepared poisoned wine, ready to drink it when the city was broken, so as to avoid being tortured.

Unfortunately, they were betrayed by their subordinates. When Li Jing appeared in front of them, the brothers were still drunk and naturally had no chance to have a good fight.
Li Shimin in Jiangdu had already killed Li Zitong in battle and frightened Du Fu so much that he fled back to Liyang. Before Du Fu could catch his breath and take the opportunity to annex Li Zitong's territory, Xiao Xin's troops arrived.

Du Fuwei had no choice but to surrender to Li Shimin, Duke of Zhao, and Li Shimin gladly accepted his offer. Du Fuwei's 5,000 recruited soldiers were indeed elite troops, and they were all recruited into the ranks of the brave warriors.

Afterwards, Duke Zhao led his troops to wipe out the bandits in Jianghuai, and then, in accordance with the order of King Tang, led his troops north to attack Xu Yuanlang.

…………

The King of Han and the King of Tang, together with the Emperor, personally went out of the city to welcome the carriage of the Grand Empress Dowager Xiao, respected it with the courtesy of a son or nephew, and personally escorted the carriage into the palace to settle down.

The Empress Dowager sighed: "In times of great adversity, only relatives can be relied upon."

In October of the first year of Datong, the Princess of Tang gave birth to a son. The King of Tang greatly praised everyone in the palace. After the King of Han offered sacrifices to the ancestors, the son was confirmed to be the eldest son of the King of Tang and was named Chengzong!

At the end of December, the King of Tang ordered the beheading of Yuwen Huaji, Yuwen Zhiji and other bandits who had killed the emperor and usurped the throne to avenge the late emperor. All the people in Chang'an went to watch. The scene was extremely tragic. They wailed in pain for a long time before they died.

Then the emperor followed the ancient ritual of abdication and issued an edict: "The Sui Dynasty was struck by misfortune. The late emperor encountered robbers in Jiangdu. He had pity on me, a young boy. I have committed a great sin. I cry out in grief and feel forever sad. I am heartbroken. I hope you will be tortured and revenged. I am alone and don't know where to go.

The Prime Minister, King Tang, has fulfilled his mission and has saved the people from danger and drowning. He has traveled from the north to the south, conquered the east and the west, and brought about the unification of the nine states. He has won hundreds of battles thousands of miles away. He has rallied the barbarians and the Chinese, and protected the common people. He has ensured my safety and I am the king's credit.

His virtue is equal to that of nature, his achievements are unparalleled, and all the people are loyal to him. This is the history of the world, but I have been humbled and served as a minister, going against the will of heaven.

In the past, the Yu and Xia dynasties courted each other and pushed each other forward. If it were not for Chonghua, who would have been worthy of being Yu?

Today, the nine prefectures are falling apart, the three spirits have changed their predictions, and the great fortune is gone. Please avoid the path of the wise, and spread the virtues. I can't take care of myself. My private servants order the carriage to return to the vassal state. I am the king of this generation, and I am replaced by others. How can it be abandoned by heaven like this!

Now, following the precedent, I will give up my old residence, appoint all officials, and serve the Tang Dynasty. I should follow the previous rules and take the title of emperor, so that I can release the heavy burden and feel the peace and happiness. I will use the real person to eliminate the ugly and rebellious, and gather many talents. I will know my intentions and still order the officials that all the memorials will not be heard. "

The King of Tang bowed his head and refused to accept it. The next day, the emperor issued another edict. The King refused three times before accepting it. The ceremony of abdication was completed, and the Sui Dynasty was destroyed and the Tang Dynasty was established.

The abdicated emperor took off his crown, moved out of the palace and returned to the Dai residence. The King of Tang moved into the Taiji Hall and first respected the King of Han as the Supreme Emperor. He recommended Tang as the earth virtue for the king's fortune, and then set the reign title as Taiping. After the coronation ceremony in the first month of the year, it was the first year of Taiping in the Tang Dynasty.

After moving from the Wude Hall to the Taiji Hall, Li Jiancheng's life did not change much, except that there were more and more memorials on the imperial desk requesting allegiance and submission.

Then the Ministry of Rites would come every day to ask for instructions on the procedures for the enthronement ceremony and to decide on the titles of the various royal family members.

In the following period, Li Jing, Li Shimin, Xue Ju, Li Mi and others seemed to be competing with each other, and victory reports came every day. All the bandits with names and surnames in the world were either killed or surrendered, and they all returned to the capital before the ceremony.

In the first year of Taiping (618), in the Taiji Hall in Chang'an, the new emperor, wearing court robes and a crown, accompanied by the retired emperor who was also wearing court robes and a crown, respectfully offered sacrifices to heaven, earth, and the ancestral community, and posthumously conferred the title of emperor on all his ancestors.

Then the emperor sent the retired emperor back to the palace to rest. After changing into a formal dress, he climbed the stairs step by step, surrounded by his ministers. Finally, he walked to the highest point alone. Turning around, he looked around, and all the ministers bowed to him to establish the position of monarch and minister.

Li Jiancheng couldn't help but think of the scene when Yang Guang ascended the throne. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. How many of those old friends who watched Emperor Wen pass away and Emperor Yang ascend to the throne in the Renshou Palace are still alive today?

Looking towards the bright light in the hall, he seemed to see Yang Guang, a familiar face and figure, but his face was dull, without that arrogance anymore.

You lost, but I won't. I will inherit your ambitions. With your lessons, I will walk more steadily and firmly. After all, the Sui and Tang dynasties are connected.

Li Jiancheng sat down slowly, and his eyes returned to the ministers in the palace, Li Shimin, Li Jing, Li Xiaogong, Li Mi, Xiao Xian, Wang Shichong, Du Fuwei, Xue Ju, Qin Shubao, Xu Shiji, Shan Xiongxin...

On the other side are Xiao Cong, Li Yuan, Dou Wei, Dugu Huai'en, Chen Shuda, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Wang Long, Liu Wenjing, Wei Zheng, Pei Xi, Pei Ji...

These people are the arms of great peace and order, but they can also be the source of trouble. None of the royal family, Guanlong, military leaders, and gentry are easy to control.

Li Jiancheng issued an edict to all his subjects: "Since the beginning of human history, the governors have been appointed and given the power to rule over them. They are called the great treasure. No one has been able to rest in peace. Therefore, Shun and Yu were fair and just. They gave way to the rise of the Yu and Xia dynasties. Tang and Wu combined their power and conquered the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Although they took different paths, they all achieved the same success. All future entrepreneurs should follow their example.

I inherited the family's blessing and was blessed with fortune from generation to generation. I was called ancestor and father. I had accumulated merits and virtues and was granted the title of Marquis of Tang... I guarded Jinyang, but my heart was devoted to the Wei Palace. I lent a hand and lent a foot to save people from drowning and fire.

Raise a large army of righteousness, bring peace to the country, punish the rebels on the border, and unite the disloyal people. Swear to sacrifice your life to save lives, eliminate chaos, and hope for peace and tranquility...

He conquered Min'e with a single edict, and pacified Guanlong with a single move. The Western Rong were subdued, and the Eastern Yi were pacified. Without his advice and support, who could have achieved such a speedy victory? He respected and established the heir apparent, supported the Sui Dynasty, worked hard to assist in the administration, and never betrayed his loyalty as a minister.

When the dynasty was about to change and the emperor's luck was about to shift, he came to the Tang palace to sing praises of the lawsuit.

The gods and people are all gathering to pay their respects, and people from far and near are all praying for the emperor’s will… The Ming spirit has descended to offer sacrifices, and has prepared rituals and sacred objects. He has granted amnesty to the whole country, and changed the second year of Datong to the first year of Taiping. This has been announced to the whole world, so that everyone can hear it!”

(End of this chapter)