The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 240 Grace
When Li Heng saw Li Shizhi's relaxed look, he knew that Li Shizhi thought he was safe.

But Li Heng didn't say much. After all, it was good to be able to live happily for a longer period of time, and Li Heng couldn't help him with anything.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Li Shizhi, Li Heng entered the Purple Palace.

Inside the Purple Palace, Wang Zhongsi was reporting to Li Longji. Li Longji did not look too good, presumably because Wang Zhongsi had said that he was unwilling to attack Shibao City by force.

But even though Wang Zhongsi was unwilling to take Shibao City, Li Longji still gave him full trust and allowed him to serve as the governor of Hedong, Shuofang, Longyou and Hexi, controlling thousands of miles of territory and important troops and towns.

Wang Zhongsi reached the peak of his life just as he had done in history.

Li Heng went straight into the hall and saluted Li Longji.

Li Longji said: "Shibalang is here. In the future, if there are things in Hexi and Longyou that need support from Qixi, Shibalang should pay more attention to them."

"Yes." Li Ying accepted the order.

Li Longji glanced at Wang Zhongsi meaningfully, then said to Li Ying, "I heard that Aqisi was injured by Zoroastrians?"

"Your Majesty, this is indeed true." Li Ying replied honestly.

Li Longji said: "These people are getting bolder and bolder. They even chased to the capital to assassinate. There are many Zoroastrians in Hexi. I appoint you as the Hexi Promotion and Demotion Envoy so that you can go to Hexi to investigate."

After all, Aqisi was a princess of Bukhara, and was personally promised to Li Heng by Li Longji. Now that she was injured in Chang'an, Li Longji had to show some expression.

Of course, this is just one of the reasons why Li Longji appointed Li Heng as the Hexi Promotion and Demotion Envoy.

The more important reason was that Li Longji wanted to put some pressure on Wang Zhongsi and give him some help.

The pressure was to hint to Wang Zhongsi that if he did not attack Shibao City, Li Heng would do it himself.

The help is that if Wang Zhongsi can wake up in time, Li Heng can also provide assistance.

Li Heng knew Li Longji's intention, but he still looked touched and said, "Thank you, father, for your grace."

"There is no need for us to be so estranged between father and son." Li Longji smiled knowingly and said, "By the way, your princess has a cousin named Yang Zhao, who is quite talented. I asked him to go with you to Qixi, so that your princess will have a relative to accompany her. And Wang Wei also has his heart set on Qixi, and asked to go there, and I also approved it."

Li Longji asked Yang Guozhong to go to Qixi, obviously wanting Yang Guozhong to supervise Li Heng and get money for him.

As for Wang Wei, although he nominally requested the position on his own initiative, he was probably secretly being ostracized by Li Linfu.

Although Li Heng is Li Longji's son, when it comes to interests, Li Longji and Li Linfu's interests are highly consistent.

Li Heng knew that Li Longji was plotting against him, but he acted even more moved, kneeling on the ground with tears in his eyes and saying: "Father, I will never be able to repay your kindness even if I die a thousand times."

Li Longji helped Li Heng up and said, "You can go on your own and each of you should stick to your own duties."

"Yes." Li Heng and Wang Zhongsi responded in unison, bowed to Li Longji together, and walked out.

When the two men came to the outside of the palace, Wang Zhongsi hesitated again and again, but still took the initiative to say: "The left prime minister asked to resign, and the emperor approved it."

"I know." Li Heng nodded, "Just now when I entered the palace, I met the left prime minister."

Wang Zhongsi looked back at Xingqing Palace and sighed, "The left prime minister has been replaced. From now on, no one in the court can restrain the right prime minister. The right prime minister is expanding the Wei Jian and Du Youlin cases, and no one is stopping him."

Li Ying said, "General Wang's words are beyond the rules."

Wang Zhongsi was startled, then smiled awkwardly, "I have lived in the palace since I was nine years old. At that time, His Royal Highness Prince Shou lived in Prince Ning's Mansion, so I didn't have a close relationship with His Royal Highness. But since I met His Royal Highness in Longyou nine years ago, I have regarded His Royal Highness as my confidant. So when I saw His Royal Highness, I wanted to share everything in my heart with His Royal Highness."

"General Wang is very kind to me. I have the same idea." Li Ying smiled, "But General Wang does not need to worry too much about the affairs of the court. The prince is in the court, and he should do his best to protect the loyal and good people."

When talking about Li Heng, Wang Zhongsi looked a little gloomy.

Wang Zhongsi felt that he was becoming increasingly unable to see Li Heng clearly.

He pondered for a while and said quietly, "I hope so."

Li Ying did not reply, and the two walked together in silence.

After a long while, Wang Zhongsi continued, "Those implicated this time are all those who supported the establishment of the crown prince. I also supported the establishment of the crown prince, and I was unwilling to attack Shibao City."

Li Ying asked, "Is General Wang worried about being implicated?"

Wang Zhongsi shook his head and said, "I have no shame to the heavens above me, and no shame to the earth below me. Life and death are determined by fate. I am not worried about myself, but..."

Wang Zhongsi wanted to say that he was just worried about the future of the Tang Dynasty.

He has realized that the Tang Dynasty is now full of contradictions, with treacherous ministers in power, the external vassal states becoming stronger, the upper class dignitaries reveling every night, and the lower class people suffering from hardship. This is precisely the time for the king to make progress.

But Li Longji was no longer the same as he used to be, and as the heir to the throne, he had a hard time describing his future. He could not see where the Tang Dynasty was headed.
Wang Zhongsi lived soberly, but he was helpless.

Li Heng could roughly guess what Wang Zhongsi meant and said with a smile: "General Wang is concerned about the country and the people. This reminds me of a saying."

Wang Zhongsi said: "Your Highness, please enlighten me."

Li Heng said: "General Wang has done what he can. Even if he is a firefly, his light is brilliant. Moreover, General Wang is now the governor of the four towns."

Wang Zhongsi did not expect Li Heng to give him such a high evaluation, and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you are too kind. If we talk about brilliance, how can I compare to Your Highness?"

After that, he carefully savored the meaning of Li Heng's words and added: "Thank you for your teachings, Your Highness. I really shouldn't think too much. My top priority is still to focus on Longyou and Tubo affairs."

Li Heng was just complimenting Wang Zhongsi without thinking too much about it, but Wang Zhongsi was shocked by Li Heng's past wisdom, so he always took Li Heng's words as a positive example.

Wang Zhongsi drew inferences from one instance and then continued, "Although I will not use force to capture Shibao City, I will definitely protect the land and the people. I think there are two urgent tasks in Longyou."

"Which two points?" Li Ying asked casually.

"First, we must use Shibao City as the boundary and never allow Tubo to invade Tang Dynasty again. Now that the autumn harvest is approaching, Tubo may plunder again. Second, we must help Jiannan retake Songzhou. Songzhou is an important transit point from Jiannan to Longyou. If Songzhou is not retaken, it will be extremely disadvantageous to Tang Dynasty in terms of strategy and trade routes." Wang Zhongsi explained and finally asked, "What do you think, Your Highness?"

These two points are easy to say but very difficult to do.

The Tubo used Shibao City as their base to plunder everywhere, and took the absolute initiative. In order to prevent them, we must have a sophisticated strategic layout.

Songzhou is adjacent to Mohuanchuan. To recapture Songzhou, it is necessary to fight with the Tubo army stationed in Mohuanchuan.

Historically, before Geshu Han was transferred back to quell An Lushan's rebellion, he was entangled with the Tibetan army in Mohuanchuan.

The same would be true if Li Heng didn't have explosives to take over Shibao City, and the best way he could think of to fight against Tubo would be the same.

"This is the best strategy I can think of." Li Heng replied affirmatively.

Wang Zhongsi was pleased to receive Li Heng's affirmation and said, "Since Your Highness also thinks it is appropriate, I will act accordingly. There is no time to lose. I need to go to Longyou as soon as possible and take my leave first."

Li Ying said, "General Wang, take care."

"Yes." Wang Zhongsi bowed to Li Heng and left first.

In fact, Li Heng had to pass through Longyou and Hexi on his way back to Anxi Beiting. He and Wang Zhongsi were on the same road, but now they were both commanders of the vassal states. If they traveled together, it would give Li Linfu an excuse and arouse Li Longji's suspicion. Therefore, they both tacitly did not mention the fact that they were on the same road. Li Heng watched Wang Zhongsi leave and returned to his own residence.

In his house, Aqisi had already had people pack up the luggage and was ready to leave at any time. He Jin also planned to go back with him. In addition, Du Erniang and her family were all sent over by the yamen runners.

When everyone saw Li Heng, they all bowed to him.

The yamen runner escorting the Du family bowed and took the initiative to say, "Your Highness, the road to Qixi is long and the mountains are high. I am not familiar with the road. I would like to go with Your Highness. Please grant me permission."

This is what the yamen runner said, but in fact, the reason why they had to travel with Li Heng was because of the complicated relationships behind it, which was also hinted at above.

However, Li Heng did not care about these things. He gave a look to the butler Li Jiu, and Li Jiu took out a bag of money and presented it to Li Heng.

Li Heng took the money, handed it to the yamen runner, and said, "Brothers, you have worked hard on the journey. This little money can be used to buy some wine."

The yamen runner happily took it and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your reward."

Li Ying smiled back and walked towards Aqisi.

When Du Erniang saw that Li Heng gave the money to the yamen runners casually and did not ask for thanks from the Du family at all, she felt more grateful to Li Heng.

Du Erniang had been a concubine and knew the ins and outs of exile. The yamen runners had a limited time to escort the exiled prisoners, and the journey was long and arduous. Therefore, even if they enforced the law impartially, they would transfer their resentment about the hardships to the prisoners along the way. If there were any further instructions from above, the prisoners would be even more upset.

Given the Du family's current situation, if it weren't for Li Heng, few of them would have survived the exile.

Therefore, Li Heng’s kindness to the Du family was a rebirth.

Thinking of this, Du Erniang came to Li Ying, kowtowed to him, and said: "Your Highness Shou Wang has been very kind to us. The Du family has no way to repay you. In the next life, I will repay your Highness by tying a grass ring."

Led by Du Erniang, Du Youlin and others also knelt down to thank Li Heng.

Li Heng was startled by the sudden kneeling, and quickly helped Du Erniang and Du Youlin up, saying, "How can I accept such a great gift? I can't guarantee that you will continue to enjoy wealth and glory in Chang'an, but I can guarantee that you will live safely. It's just a small favor, so you don't have to be so polite."

Du Erniang said, "Your Highness Shou Wang's help is a great favor to the Du family. I thought Your Highness was... I was wrong. I wrongly blamed Your Highness."

Du Erniang wanted to say "frivolous person", but it was inappropriate to say this word at this time, so she omitted it.

"No problem." Li Ying smiled slightly, "You guys take a rest first, so you can have more energy for the journey later."

"Yes." Du Erniang stepped back.

Li Ying came to Aqisi, who put Li Ling down from her arms and said with a smile, "I thought someone as upright and honest as Your Highness would disdain the underground rules."

The underground rules that Aqisi mentioned were the matter of Li Heng giving money to the yamen runners.

"It's upright and incorruptible. Ah, not hungry." Li Heng corrected Aqisi with a smile, and touched Li Ling's head, and then explained: "Knowledge of the world is knowledge, and understanding of human nature is writing. Being upright and incorruptible does not mean being stubborn."

Aqisi had never heard of the couplet Li Ying said, but she roughly understood the meaning and said with a smile: "Your Highness is thoughtful in his dealings with others. How can such a person not be loved?"

Aqisi's expression was a bit blunt, so Li Heng could only smile and then asked, "Can you heal your injury by traveling a long distance?"

"We can march or fight." Aqisi raised her hand to indicate that it was all right, and said, "Shall we leave now?"

Li Heng said, "Wait for two more people."

"Which two people?" Ayis asked.

Li Heng said: "Wang Mojie and Yang Zhao."

Aqisi nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "Wang Mojie is an interesting person. I am willing to make friends with him. Although Yang Zhao is the princess's cousin, I hate him."

Li Heng smiled when he heard this but did not answer.

Li Ling on the side said, "I hate him too."

After hearing this, Li Heng couldn't help but ask, "Have you seen it?"

Li Ling said: "I haven't seen it."

Li Ying said, "You have to see it before you can make a comment, understand?"

Li Ling said: "Oh."

Half an hour later, Wang Wei and Yang Guozhong arrived one after another, and the group set out for Qixi.

The group set out from Chang'an in a mighty procession and took twenty days to reach the outskirts of Lanzhou.

At this time, outside Lanzhou City, a familiar face and the Longyou civil and military officials had been waiting for a long time.

This familiar face is Gao Shi.

When Gao Shi saw Li Heng, he stepped forward to greet him warmly and said, "Your Highness, General Wang Jie was worried about border affairs, so after arriving in Longyou, he went straight to Shanzhou to deploy defenses. I have specially ordered this general to welcome Your Highness here."

Gao Shi had followed Wang Zhongsi in his campaigns over the years and had become one of the important figures under Wang Zhongsi. In addition, Gao Shi was familiar with Li Heng, so Wang Zhongsi specially sent him to meet Li Heng.

Li Heng could sense Wang Zhongsi's regard for him, and said with a smile: "There is a high possibility of war between Longyou and Tubo. If Dafu doesn't go to the front, he might miss a good opportunity to make achievements."

"You can still make achievements by deploying in the rear." Gao Shi responded with a smile, and then said: "I have prepared a banquet in the city to welcome your Highness. Please mount your horse."

"Thank you very much, Dafu." Li Heng thought Gao Shi wanted to go with him on horseback, so he got on the horse again.

But after Li Heng got on the horse, Gao Shi led the horse for Li Heng.

Li Heng asked in confusion: "Why is Dave doing this?"

Gao Shi said: "If it weren't for your support, I would probably still be wandering around. Your Highness, I have no way to repay your kindness, so I can only do this to express my gratitude."

Li Heng said: "I am promoting you to help the country. You don't have to be so polite."

Gao Shi said sincerely: "Your Highness is a man of high character. I dare not give you a gift. Please allow me to lead your horse for you once!"

"Okay." Li Heng agreed.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Gao Shi bowed to Li Heng, led the horse for Li Heng, brought Li Heng into the city, and went straight to the restaurant, attracting the attention of passers-by along the way.

Yang Guozhong, Du Youlin and others who went to Longyou for the first time were all impressed by how popular Li Heng was.

Du Youlin and others felt that Li Heng's title of virtuous king was indeed not a lie, while Yang Guozhong planned to write this matter down so that he could present it to the court later.

　Brothers, it’s too late to separate the chapters, so please send them together.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)