diymy Chapter 24 Li Chengqian: Aunt, let me be your matchmaker!
Chapter 24 Li Chengqian: Aunt, let me be your matchmaker!
Zichen Palace.
After meeting Li Shimin, Chang He truthfully recounted the whole story to him.
Li Shimin recalled the previous incident when someone reported to him that a wooden effigy was buried in the Eastern Palace. Without hesitation, he ordered Chang He to lead troops to search for it, but the search was fruitless. As a result, he was severely criticized by Wei Zheng for this.
Today, Chang He wanted to search Princess Hengyang's residence, but Princess Hengyang refused to allow the search. There are two possible scenarios:
One possibility is that Ashina She'er was indeed not in Princess Hengyang's residence; Chang He and the others may have been mistaken.
The second possibility is that Ashina She'er posed no threat to Princess Hengyang.
Li Shimin had also heard that Ashina She'er was a remarkable hero and that he probably wouldn't do anything too outrageous.
Thinking of this, Li Shimin said to Chang He, "Since Princess Hengyang told you not to search, then you don't need to search. However, you should leave a detachment of men to keep watch from a distance, just in case."
No matter what, you must ensure Princess Hengyang's safety.
If Ashina She'er is in Princess Hengyang's residence, he must be brought here; I want to see him.
Chang Hechi paused for a moment, then said, "Yes!"
He hadn't expected Li Shimin to make such an instruction, but since the emperor had already spoken, he would do as he was told.
morning.
The Eastern Palace.
Li Chengqian sat behind the desk, his hand on his forehead, deep in thought.
He wondered if there had never been a case in Chinese history where the eldest son of the legitimate wife successfully inherited the throne.
He hadn't cared about these things before, but now that he had transmigrated into the body of the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, he felt it was necessary to figure them out.
At this point, the emulator screen displays:
Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, inherited the throne as the eldest son of King Zhuangxiang of Qin, Ying Zichu.
The fact that Qin Shi Huang was able to inherit the throne was also a coincidence.
Crown Prince Dao of Qin died of depression, and King Zhaoxiang of Qin changed the crown prince to Anguo Jun. However, Anguo Jun died only three days after ascending the throne.
This is a classic case of extreme joy turning into sorrow!
Although it lasted only three days, it played a crucial role, as he passed the throne to Ying Zichu on his deathbed.
After Ying Zichu became King of Qin, he vaguely heard rumors that Zhao Ji and Lü Buwei had an ambiguous relationship, and some even said that Ying Zheng was not his son. Three years later, he died of anger.
After King Zhuangxiang of Qin died, Ying Zheng smoothly ascended to the throne.
Emperor Yuan of Han, Liu Shi, was the eldest son of Emperor Xuan of Han, Liu Xun. After Liu Xun's death, Liu Shi successfully inherited the throne.
Although he had different governing philosophies from his father, was indecisive, and had a weak character, he was still a crown prince in line to the throne.
Emperor Xuan of Han once commented on Liu Shi, saying, "The one who will bring chaos to my family will surely be the Crown Prince."
Emperor Xuan of Han discovered that Liu Shi advocated Confucianism but lacked strong governance skills, and worried that he would lose power in the future.
However, Emperor Xuan of Han still held a glimmer of hope for him and did not depose him as crown prince. Instead, he appointed three regents for him.
Emperor Cheng of Han, Liu Ao, was the eldest son of Liu Shi. After Liu Shi's death, he also succeeded to the throne.
Of course, his smooth succession to the throne was also largely due to his mother, Empress Wang Zhengjun.
However, his indulgence in sensual pleasures ultimately led to his childlessness.
Cao Rui was Cao Pi's eldest son, and after Cao Pi's death, Cao Rui inherited the throne.
After reading it, Li Chengqian felt a little better. He thought to himself that it wasn't entirely impossible for the eldest son of the emperor to inherit the throne smoothly. Was he just being too pessimistic?
As long as I diligently learn from the strengths of those who successfully inherited the throne and draw lessons from the mistakes of the eldest princes who failed to inherit it, I may not necessarily die in the future; I might even become the ruler of the world.
The simulator screen now displays: [Su Gui has arrived at the door. Should I see her or not?]
"See."
[Since Su Gui is now a member of the Imperial Guard, it would be best for the host to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Would you like to change your answer?]
"No need to change it."
A moment later, Su Gui walked in from outside the door and knelt on the ground: "Su Gui greets Your Highness."
"There are no outsiders here, so there's no need for such formalities. Please get up!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Li Chengqian looked Su Gui up and down again. He saw that Su Gui was wearing a silver helmet, military uniform, and a sword at his waist. He looked radiant and imposing, with bright and piercing eyes.
As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. Su Gui looked quite different after changing her outfit.
One word: "spirit!"
"How are things going with your work in the Imperial Guard?"
"Your Highness, it's alright."
Su Gui then reported the recent events to Li Chengqian.
Li Chengqian smiled: "In that case, I must congratulate you on your promotion to captain of the Imperial Guard."
Su Gui felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this: "Your Highness, please don't make fun of me. That's just a tiny official position, nothing to brag about."
Furthermore, I believe that Chang He promoted me to squad leader only because of His Highness's influence.
Li Chengqian waved his hand: "No, your promotion is entirely the result of your own efforts, and has nothing to do with me."
You haven't been in the Imperial Guard for long, so this is a fast promotion. Don't underestimate the position of captain; all the commanders and deputy generals started as captains.
"Your Highness is right, I will work even harder."
Li Chengqian nodded slightly: "As long as you are willing to work hard, your future is limitless."
Su Gui seemed a little excited: "Does Your Highness know that the Emperor has already ordered the expulsion of the Turks from Chang'an?"
These past few days, our Imperial Guards have been searching every house in Chang'an.
Li Chengqian also heard about this matter and was troubled by it.
Because he made sure that all ten strong men he recruited were Turks, what would happen if his father found out?
Li Chengqian felt that the Turks were straightforward and had the innate boldness of grassland people, which suited him well. Moreover, they were meticulous in their work and always satisfied him.
He didn't think the Turks were bad at all; on the contrary, in some ways, they did a better job than the people of the Central Plains.
For example, Tsuchikishi's strength, Muikishi's archery skills, and Kazeikishi's lightness skills are all exceptional.
No matter what tasks are assigned, they always carry them out resolutely and give themselves a perfect answer.
They are absolutely loyal to themselves!
Could it be that the reason my father issued this decree was to target me?
Does Father already know that he has recruited some Turks?
He thought it was unlikely.
"Did you find any Turks during your search?"
"We found one, named Ashina She'er."
Li Chengqian was shocked because Ashina She'er was famous far and wide. Although he had never met him, he had long heard of his great name.
"So, did you catch him?"
"No. He was injured, then jumped into Princess Hengyang's residence, and never came out again."
Princess Hengyang forbade us from entering to search, and His Majesty has also issued an edict ordering us not to forcibly search, but only to observe from a distance.
"Oh, is that so?" Li Chengqian was even more puzzled after hearing this.
He stood up, rested his chin on his hand, and paced back and forth in the hall. He couldn't understand how Ashina She'er could have escaped to Princess Hengyang's residence. Since he had arrived at Princess Hengyang's residence, why did Princess Hengyang not allow a search?
What exactly is the reason for this?
Li Chengqian was completely baffled.
Also, wasn't Ashina She'er the Khan of Dubu?
I heard that he had almost conquered half of the territory of the Western Turks, so why did he suddenly come to Chang'an alone?
Su Gui was also unable to explain these questions.
"Go and keep watch outside Princess Hengyang's residence. After I change my clothes, I will go and visit my aunt."
"promise."
Princess Hengyang's Residence.
Li Chengqian arrived at the gate of the mansion.
When Princess Hengyang learned that the Crown Prince had arrived, she hurriedly went out and descended the steps to greet him, taking his hand and asking him all sorts of questions.
Princess Hengyang looked around and could vaguely see some imperial guards in the distance.
Princess Hengyang gave the order: "Close the gate!"
"Yes, sir!" The servants of the princess's residence replied and closed the gate.
Princess Hengyang led Li Chengqian into the hall.
She looked Li Chengqian over carefully and nodded slightly: "Chengqian, you've had your coming-of-age ceremony, so you're a grown man now. You're indeed much more mature and composed than before, and you're becoming more and more radiant."
"Auntie, no matter what, I'm still a child in your eyes."
Princess Hengyang smiled.
In fact, Princess Hengyang liked Li Chengqian quite a bit. When Li Chengqian was young, she often took him to play, and the two had a very deep relationship.
Although Princess Hengyang was an elder, she was only a few years older than Li Chengqian, and they were like siblings, able to confide in each other freely.
The aunt and niece chatted for a long time, including some recent events inside and outside the palace.
Later, Li Chengqian changed the subject: "Aunt, I heard that a Turk has come to your household. Is that true?"
"You're in the Eastern Palace, yet you've heard quite a lot, even about this matter." Princess Hengyang didn't hide anything.
"Is his name Ashina She'er?"
Princess Hengyang nodded.
"I've long heard of Ashina She'er's great name. He's Dubu Khan, after all. He didn't do anything to you when he came to your residence, did he?"
Princess Hengyang smiled and said, "Look at me, I'm standing right here, aren't I?"
"Ashina She'er is a remarkable hero. May I meet him?"
"Why do you want to see him?" Princess Hengyang's expression was a little unnatural.
Li Chengqian was incredibly intelligent; he could read between the lines and understand Princess Hengyang's thoughts.
Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I remember my aunt often telling me that she wanted to find a great hero to be her husband in the future. Because your standards are too high, you are still unmarried."
I'll go and check it out for you. If you think Ashina She'er is alright, I'll play matchmaker and bring you together. What do you think?
Upon hearing this, Princess Hengyang sighed: "Although I am a princess, your grandfather is old and your father is busy with state affairs all day long. No one cares about my marriage."
As I get older, I see that some girls my age are already raising children.
But I'm still all alone.
I never imagined that in the end, it would be you, my nephew, who truly understands my feelings.
"Aunt, Father has too many things to do, so please don't blame him. I know he still loves you very much."
"Where does he show me any affection? I can't feel it at all."
Let's not talk about those things now.
However, this matter is probably not so easy to handle. Your father is now expelling all the Turks from Chang'an, and Ashina She'er is included in that expulsion."
Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian thought to himself that he still had ten Turkic warriors on his side. He really couldn't understand why his father would issue such an edict. Did the Turks have no talented people?
Back then, Qin Shi Huang ordered the expulsion of guest ministers in the Qin state, and Li Si was among those on the list.
However, Qin Shi Huang later rescinded the expulsion order, and as it turned out, his decision was wise.
Because the key figures who made Qin powerful—Shang Yang, Fan Sui, Lü Buwei, and Li Si—were not from Qin.
Shang Yang was a descendant of the ruler of the State of Wei. After arriving in the State of Qin, he advocated the implementation of the "Shang Yang Reforms," which transformed the State of Qin from a poor and weak state to a powerful and prosperous one with a full treasury.
From then on, the Qin army was known as the "tiger and wolf army";
Fan Sui was from the State of Wei. He went through many hardships before finally arriving in the State of Qin.
He first suggested to King Zhaoxiang of Qin that the Queen Dowager Xuan be deposed and that the "Four Nobles"—Marquis Rang, Lord Huayang, Lord Gaoling, and Lord Jingyang—be banished to the border, thus firmly grasping power in his own hands.
Then, he proposed the strategy of "befriending distant states and attacking nearby ones" to the King of Qin, which enabled the Qin state to gradually erode the six states.
Lü Buwei was also from the State of Wei. Because of his business acumen, he accumulated a great deal of wealth by buying low and selling high. Later, he met Yiren, a hostage prince of Qin, in Handan. He believed that Yiren was a rare commodity and ultimately helped Yiren inherit the throne.
Lü Buwei was also remarkable. His compilation, "Lüshi Chunqiu," was rich in content, covering politics, history, philosophy, agriculture, and governance, and provided a theoretical basis for the Qin state's unification of the world.
Li Si was from Shangcai in the State of Chu. In his early years, he studied the art of rulership under Xunzi. After arriving in the State of Qin, he advised Ying Zheng to destroy the feudal lords, establish an empire, and unify the world. He helped Ying Zheng build confidence and strive to fulfill the wish of the Qin monarchs to unify the world. At the same time, he offered advice and strategies. With his careful assistance, the State of Qin eventually destroyed the six states.
Without the help of these people, could the Qin state have unified the world? It would have been virtually impossible.
But now the Emperor has ordered the expulsion of all Turks. Is this reasonable?
Thinking of this, Li Chengqian said, "Aunt, don't worry. Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Let's talk about it after I've met Ashina She'er."
"All right!"
So Princess Hengyang led Li Chengqian to find Ashina She'er, only to find that Ashina She'er was not in the room.
The aunt and niece went to the back courtyard and saw Ashina She'er, shirtless, practicing wrestling with a servant.
The Turks were skilled in horsemanship, archery, and wrestling; it seemed to be their natural talent.
Princess Hengyang and Li Chengqian stood to one side, watching quietly. Ashina She'er had a muscular upper body, full of strength, and his right arm was wrapped in gauze, but it seemed that he was no longer seriously injured.
Ashina She'er was not only strong, but also had amazing moves, often able to throw his opponent to the ground from unexpected angles.