Chapter 219 Leaving the Palace
"My lady, I'm afraid Concubine Deng will be promoted to the position of consort this time."

Xiao Chanyan stroked her son's chubby face and said, "The position of the fourth concubine is there, and there will be someone sooner or later. I think Zheng is well-mannered and polite, and she has given birth to a prince for your majesty and me, so it is only right that she be made a concubine."

All the children in the harem have to call her mother. When it comes to major matters such as upbringing, education, and marriage, her words carry more weight than their biological mother's. In her eyes, there is no difference between the Four Concubines or the Nine Imperial Concubines.

The female official who accompanied her in the dowry was worried for her: "His Majesty's favor towards Zheng is very unusual. Your Majesty can't just ignore everything. If not for yourself, you should also think about the future of the little prince."

Xiao Chanyan tapped her son's nose and said, "What is there to think about? His father is the emperor, his mother is the empress, and I have already given him the most precious title of eldest son."

The Queen's maid could only worry as she was confused, while the older maids signaled her to say less. The Queen had been kind and gentle since she was young, and had never been competitive, but she had also never suffered any loss.

At this time, the ministers in the Xuanzheng Hall were still arguing. Shibi Khan had died, and the Turks were caught up in a dispute over the Khan. Princess Yicheng asked the court for help, hoping that the Tang Dynasty would support her son Shibobi to inherit the position of Khan.

"Princess Yicheng is not a princess of the Tang Dynasty, and her son will not be loyal to our dynasty. Why bother doing something that is thankless?"

"Our dynasty has not treated the royal family of the previous dynasty harshly. The descendants of Emperor Yang have all inherited wealth and honor. Princess Yicheng has written to express her gratitude many times, and she also needs the support of the Central Plains to secure her position as Kehadun."

"The question now is not whether we are willing or not, but the fact that our two countries have just gone to war and have become enemies. Will it be counterproductive to send envoys to the Turks at this time?"

"Supporting a young son who has not yet reached adulthood, even if he succeeds, he will not be able to control the Turks. It is better to choose a new ally from the Ashina clan in exchange for at least three to five years of peace."

After Li Jiancheng sat down, everyone gradually quieted down. Li Wei, who was standing under the Danbi, stretched his legs out. All the ministers hurried to congratulate and congratulate His Majesty on the birth of a prince.

Officials from Shandong were particularly happy, and several members of the Zheng family were overjoyed.

But after all, the child was not the queen's, so after the congratulations, disputes began again in the court.

After listening to everyone's opinions, the emperor decided to send envoys to the Turks to represent the Tang Dynasty in supporting Shibobi as the Khan of the Turks.

But the emperor immediately issued another decree, ordering envoys to rush to Western Turkic, saying that the Khan of Eastern Turkic was still undecided and was fighting for power internally. If the two countries joined forces to attack, they would surely win a great victory and each side would get what it wanted.

Then he issued an edict, ordering the Duke of Weiguo, who was currently conquering Tuyuhun, to continue his march, recover the four counties established by the Sui Dynasty, and return them to the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

After the court was dismissed, the emperor left the palace under the escort of Xu Shiji and Zhang Huli. After Qin Shubao and Shan Xiongxin recovered from their injuries, they returned to Chang'an to recuperate a few days ago.

Li Jiancheng sat in the carriage and gently drew open the curtain. Chang'an was still as lively as before. He specially ordered a detour to the two cities to take a look. It was far not as lively as it was at the end of Kaihuang and the beginning of Daye.

Every industry and business seemed somewhat bleak, especially the taverns. The plaques and signs were still the same as before, but there were only a few scattered customers.

This was partly because he issued the decree banning slaughter and selling meat, otherwise there would always be a shortage of wealthy and enjoyable people in Chang'an.

After beating several royal family members until their buttocks were bloody, no nobleman dared to call friends to the restaurant to kill cattle and sheep for feasting and entertainment, thus defying His Majesty's will.

"Where are they having their banquet now?"

Xu Shiji, who was riding a horse to protect him, said: "Nowadays, people usually hold banquets in their own villas outside the city to entertain guests and friends."

Li Jiancheng nodded in understanding, but he had no intention of pursuing the matter, and drove steadily to Shan Xiongxin's residence. Shan Xiongxin's injuries were less serious than Qin Shubao's, and after learning that His Majesty was coming in person, he hurriedly forced himself to go to the gate of the residence to greet him.

Li Jiancheng felt distressed when he saw Shan Xiongxin, who looked pale and needed to be supported to move. He said to his son with a little anger, "You are also a man who has married, had children and entered the government. When I arrived at your house, I specially sent someone to inform you to come and welcome me because I didn't want to trouble your father. Why are you so irresponsible?"

Shan Xiongxin's son Shan Qi quickly knelt down and said, "I am guilty, I beg you to die!"

Seeing this, Shan Xiongxin also wanted to kneel down and apologize, but Li Jiancheng stepped forward to stop him and said, "Well, the weather is getting colder, let's go into the palace and talk."

Zhang Huli gently kicked Shan Qi who was still lying on the ground and said, "Why are you waiting for him to lead the way?"

Shan Qi quickly stood up and walked to the front, bending sideways to lead the way. Shan Xiongxin said helplessly to Li Jiancheng: "This child is stupid, Your Majesty, please forgive me for making a fool of myself."

Li Jiancheng came to visit to express his consolation for his meritorious service, not to criticize his subjects' offspring, so he comforted them by saying, "In a time of great peace, as long as one can understand the two words loyalty and filial piety, being a little ignorant may not be a bad thing."

Sitting in the main hall, Li Jiancheng looked around and said, "It's a little small. I will ask the Palace Department to choose a suitable residence for you someday."

Shan Xiongxin coughed a few times and waved his hands quickly, saying, "Your Majesty, I... cough... I have made humble contributions, but Your Majesty has not given up on me and has granted me a title and a position. I am rich and powerful today, but I have already done enough. How dare I accept more rewards?"

Shan Xiongxin is a county duke, but this mansion is more than half the size of the former Duke of Tang's mansion, and it looks like a marquis's mansion.

"There is no need for us to be polite to each other. I should have given you this mansion a long time ago, but it was just the beginning of the country, and there were many complicated circumstances, so I had to let you, my close friends, down first."

Shan Xiongxin said excitedly: "Ahem... Your Majesty, who said something rebellious? Please tell me who it is, and I will ask him carefully, what great merits can he have!

The army always wins every battle and conquers every city, and everything goes smoothly wherever it goes. Is it his credit?

All of this is due to your majesty's prestige. We are just lucky to have the honor to follow your majesty!"

Shan Qi on the side felt a little embarrassed. He had never seen his father behave like this before, and he never expected that his father, who was always dignified, could say such flattering words.

But he didn't notice that Zhang Huli and Xu Shiji on the side nodded in agreement. Only those who have experienced it personally can understand the feeling of being helped by God.

No matter whether two armies are fighting or attacking or defending a city, regardless of how to defeat the enemy, as long as the enemy can be delayed, it won't take long before the enemy collapses, and some generals will inexplicably want to surrender the city.

It was very common for thousands of people to go on an expedition and easily occupy several counties while fighting.

Moreover, there was no need to worry about pacifying the local people and collecting food and fodder. The local wealthy families all volunteered their manpower and efforts, and there was no need to worry about any trivial matters.

Under such circumstances, he was able to unify the world in such a short time. Was it luck? No, it was because Your Majesty first determined victory in the temple and then sought victory on the battlefield.

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

(End of this chapter)