The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 164: The Crown Prince
Li Heng did not stand on the side of Lu Xiang just because Lu Xiang was his teacher and adviser, nor did he use this as an excuse to slander or attack Li Heng.

Instead, he supported Li Ying.

But he said this not because he really wanted to help Li Heng, but because he knew that Li Heng was extremely important in Li Longji's heart. As long as Li Heng did not commit treason, Li Longji would give Li Heng full trust.

Therefore, only by supporting Li Heng can he show that he has a broad mind and is worthy of a ruler.

In addition, he also pleaded for Lu Xiang, demonstrating his benevolence and righteousness.

Li Longji was very satisfied with Li Heng's reply. He smiled and said, "Since you plead for Lü Xiang, I will not blame him. Although he is your teacher, if he makes a mistake, you should give him more advice. Okay, stand up."

"Thank you, father." Li Heng stood up and stood properly.

Li Longji said: "Shiba Lang is fighting outside, you should help him more in the court and not make things difficult for him."

Li Heng was slightly stunned when he heard this. He didn't understand how he could help Li Ying in the court.

Li Heng couldn't figure it out for a moment, but still said, "Yes, I will obey your will."

"Yes." Li Longji nodded and said, "Shibalang repelled the Tubo in Hexi. When the Tubo failed to plunder Hexi, they plundered in Longyou. The troops in Longyou only dared to defend their cities and did not dare to take the initiative to attack."

Li Heng said: "Longyou was affected by the previous defeat and its morale has been frustrated. If we can send a capable general to turn the defeat into victory, it will surely help to restore the morale of the Longyou army."

"You are right." Li Longji stood up and said, "I intend to let Shiba Lang serve as the governor of Longyou concurrently, what do you think?

Li Heng said: "Eighteenth brother is a master in military operations. It would be great if he could be appointed as the governor of Longyou, but..."

"Just what?" Li Longji asked.

Li Heng originally wanted to say that the Eighteenth Brother would lead too many troops, but when the words came to his lips, he didn't say them. Instead, he changed his words and replied, "I just don't know if the Eighteenth Brother's body can support it."

"Shibalang is still in his prime, so I think he can still hold on for a while. So, according to your advice, let him concurrently serve as the governor of Longyou."

After Li Longji finished speaking, he asked Li Heng to leave first.

……

The next day, Zichen Palace.

Li Longji convened a court meeting, and all officials of all ranks and princes in the court were present.

Li Longji waited for Li Linfu to report the war in Hexi and Longyou, and then said, "Yesterday, Prince Zhong proposed that Prince Shou concurrently serve as the governor of Longyou. I agreed. Do you have any other suggestions?"

When His Highness and the others heard this, they were all shocked.

Especially Li Heng, Li Linfu and Li Lin.

Li Heng was surprised, because the proposal was actually made by Li Longji himself. He just didn't dare to refute and just followed suit, but Li Longji blamed it on him.

Li Linfu felt that Li Heng was becoming more and more adept at figuring out Li Longji's thoughts.

As for Li Lin, he blamed Li Heng for not recommending him to be the governor of Longyou. He had mentioned this matter to Li Heng before, and he also wanted to make a contribution.

After being surprised, Li Linfu quickly came back to his senses.

He knew that since Li Longji appointed Li Heng as the Jiedushi of Hexi, it was only a matter of time before he was appointed as the Jiedushi of Longyou.

But he still refuted as usual: "Your Majesty, although His Royal Highness Prince Shou is very talented, he is too young after all. I am afraid that he will not be able to take on the responsibility of serving as the governor of the three towns in Longyou Road alone."

Li Longji did not answer Li Linfu, but asked Niu Xianke, "What do you think, Prime Minister Niu?" Niu Xianke wanted to follow Li Linfu's words, but seeing Li Longji's attitude, he decided to speak his mind and said, "Your Highness Prince Shou has never been defeated in the use of troops. I admit that I am not as good as you. I second the motion and request that Your Highness Prince Shou concurrently serve as the governor of Longyou."

"Since Prime Minister Niu agrees, then let's make it." Li Longji made the decision directly, then changed the subject and said, "The day before yesterday, Shizhi requested to make Prince Zhong the crown prince. I have been thinking about it for a long time. As Shizhi said, the establishment of a crown prince is related to the foundation of the country. The position of the crown prince has been vacant for a long time, and the people in the court are uneasy. Prince Zhong is loyal, filial, benevolent, and righteous. He has both talent and virtue. He is a talent for the country, regardless of whether he is close to you or not. He is capable of taking on important tasks. I have made up my mind and will make Prince Zhong the crown prince."

Li Longji's tone was very firm. The ministers did not dare to question it and they all saluted and congratulated Li Heng.

……

The meeting dispersed.

Li Linfu seemed to be thinking about something, while Li Lin left angrily.

Li Heng caught up with Li Lin and said, "Sixteenth brother, please stay."

Li Lin paused and said with a fake smile: "Congratulations to the third brother for becoming the crown prince. The sixteenth brother is useless and can no longer help the third brother."

Li Heng asked, "Are you angry that I didn't recommend you to be the governor of Longyou?"

Li Lin said: "I dare not."

"The Emperor appointed my eighteenth brother as the governor of Longyou so that he could concentrate his forces to attack Shibao City. If I recommend you now, not only will the Emperor not agree, but he will suspect that you and I have ulterior motives. Moreover, Shibao City is difficult to conquer. If you go there, it will be a thankless task." Li Heng explained patiently.

Li Lin was quite confident, thinking that as long as he went out, he would not be weaker than Li Heng, so he said: "It's just that the third brother doesn't trust me."

"It's not that I don't trust you." Li Heng shook his head, "I have found a place for you. If you want to go, I will recommend you."

"Where?" Li Lin asked.

"Jiannan." Li Heng said the name and then explained: "Jiannan is also a border area, close to Tubo and Nanzhao. But compared with Longyou, the Tang Dynasty has a better relationship with Nanzhao. If you go to Jiannan, you can unite with Nanzhao and advance into Tubo. This way, it will be easy to make meritorious deeds and there will be no danger."

Li Lin thought about it and felt that what Li Heng said made sense. He bowed and said, "It turns out that Third Brother has never thought about me. I have wronged you. Please forgive me, Third Brother."

Li Heng smiled slightly and said, "There's no need to be so polite between us."

……

Li Heng's Mansion.

Since Li Heng became the crown prince, many minor officials in the court came to congratulate him, and the palace was crowded with people.

Li Heng happily dealt with the court officials and came to Zhang's room and said, "My house is a little small. With the people coming to congratulate me, it seems very crowded."

Li Heng said on the surface that his house was small, but he was actually asking Zhang whether he should move to the Eastern Palace.

Zhang understood what Li Heng meant and said with a smile, "Your Highness can ask the Ministry of Rites about this matter."

What Zhang meant was that the Ministry of Rites was in charge of etiquette, and now that Li Heng was the crown prince, he should follow the crown prince's etiquette. According to the crown prince's etiquette, Li Heng should live in the Eastern Palace.

Li Heng said, "But my brothers all live in the Ten Kings' Residence. If I move out, I'm afraid my father will be unhappy."

Zhang said, "Prince Shou is not living in the Ten Princes' Residence now, and the Saint is not unhappy."

Speaking of Li Heng, Li Heng thought of the fact that Li Heng was now the governor of three towns and had hundreds of thousands of soldiers under his command. Compared with him, the crown prince, Li Heng seemed to have more real power.

Li Heng was silent for a while, then said bluntly: "You mean, if I move out of the Tenth Prince's House and live in the East Palace, my father will not be unhappy?"

(End of this chapter)