After the eunuch announced the expected reward decree, everyone in the Li family from Li Ji on down bowed their heads to thank God for his kindness.
Li Qinzai helped Li Ji stand up. The trembling Li Ji accepted the imperial edict and ordered his servants to take a piece of silver cake and give it to the eunuch. The eunuch smiled flatteringly and said goodbye with great gratitude.
Unfolding the imperial edict, Li Ji carefully read every word on it. After reading it four or five times, he ordered Li Siwen to offer the edict in the Mingtang.
The family members smiled happily and congratulated Li Ji one after another, and Li Ji also nodded with a smile.
Li Zhi's imperial edict of reward raised the status of the Li family once again. Today, Li Ji is the undisputed top official in the court.
Further up is the title of king with a different surname. This has no precedent in the Tang Dynasty, and Li Ji is still reluctant. The higher his status, the worse his fall. Li Ji is a smart man. If he could, he would not even accept this imperial edict. Unwilling to accept.
"Congratulations, Grandpa, for being awarded the title of Crown Prince and Grand Master." Li Qinzai congratulated with a smile.
Li Ji glanced at him: "Do you think it's a happy event?"
"Just treat it as a happy occasion." Li Qinzai said with a smile.
Li Ji snorted and turned his head expressionlessly.
Li Qinzai shook his head secretly. "Prince and Grand Master" is not a false title in today's Tang Dynasty. It is indeed to teach the prince a lesson.
According to the "Book of Rites of Zhou", Taishi, Taifu and Taibao are collectively referred to as the "Three Dukes".
Of course, the development of the times is different, and the definitions of the "Three Gongs" are also different. The "Book of Rites" refers to Sima, Situ, and Sikong as the "Three Gongs".
Li Ji was not talented. He had been named "Sikong" by Li Zhi as early as the fourth year of Yonghui, and today he was named the Prince and Grand Master. Therefore, no matter what standard is used, Li Ji is truly one of the "Three Dukes".
Li Qinzai secretly complained that the title of Prince and Grand Master was a bit...
I have been poisoned by movies and TV shows in my previous life, and if I have anything to do with a "grand master" or "grand guard", there is a high probability that he is a traitorous official, the ultimate villain and boss.
As soon as I heard the name of an official, there was an air of someone covering the sky with one hand and harming the loyal and good.
Unexpectedly, his grandfather actually became the prince's grand master. Li Qinzai imagined that Li Ji would travel in the future, with luxurious ceremonials and numerous followers, and the common people on the roadside would be miserable.
Groups of knights with a sense of justice went forward to assassinate one after another, but were suppressed and slaughtered one by one by Li Ji's troops, writing a touching and evocative history of blood and tears in which the righteous working people did not fear the power and fought against the villains...
Thinking of this, Li Qinzai shuddered inexplicably.
"Grandpa, how about... you declined the title of Crown Prince and Grand Master?" Li Qinzai asked tentatively.
Li Ji stroked his beard with joy: "You also think it's too eye-catching and the tree attracts the wind?"
"That's not the case. The main reason is... this official doesn't sound serious. Who is a good person to be a grand master? The kind that makes you feel like you're about to get stabbed..."
Li Ji was stunned for a moment, and then got angry: "Fart! How could the Crown Prince and Grand Master, one of the three princes, not be serious? Why should I be stabbed for being an official like this?"
"Grandpa, please calm down. This is purely a personal suggestion. If you like it, feel free to accept it." Li Qinzai laughed a few times and then put on an exaggerated expression: "Master! Grandpa is so awesome!"
Li Ji became even more angry, shaking his head and pointing at him: "Get out of here, I!"
…………
The news that Li Jijia had been conferred the title of Crown Prince and Grand Master spread throughout the powerful families in Chang'an City that night.
The powerful officials were all envious and a little more in awe of the Li family.
Of course, everyone was just envious, but no one was jealous. Everyone knew very well that this was the glory that Li Ji had earned with his old life.
With his unparalleled achievements in destroying Goguryeo and Silla, isn't it normal for Li Jijia to grant the crown prince the title of Grand Master? In other words, there was no precedent in the Tang Dynasty for granting a king with a different surname, otherwise it would be reasonable for Li Ji to grant the title of king.
This contribution was too great, and since Li Ji had already been elevated to the rank of Duke, the emperor probably couldn't think of how to reward Li Ji.
The next day, the dignitaries of Chang'an City came to congratulate him with generous gifts, and Li Ji's former disciples also paid their respects.
It is a pity that Li Ji thanked the guests behind closed doors and declared that he was an old friend. He did not see any visitors. Li Siwen stood at the door for a whole day, apologizing to the visiting guests and accepting the generous gifts.
Only one guest came to the door, but Li Ji did not refuse and greeted him personally in the front yard.
This guest is the current crown prince Li Xian.
He could refuse others when he came to visit him, but how dare Li Ji refuse when the prince came to visit him.
Even regardless of his status, Li Ji was nominally the prince's master. The title of the prince's master these days was not a false title. He really wanted to teach the prince. As for the content to be taught, it was up to the master to decide. The meaning of the sages' scriptures was also Okay, whether it's the art of war or the ink attack, in short, take your salary and seek your political affairs.
The prince came to the door, and Li Ji welcomed him into the mansion. In the front hall of the Li family, Li Xian respectfully bowed to Li Ji as a disciple, and Li Ji had no choice but to accept it calmly.
From this moment on, Li Ji and Li Xian were officially teachers and students.
Looking at Li Xian's young face, Li Ji was very emotional.
During the Zhenguan period, Li Zhiyuan led the governor of Bingzhou, and appointed Li Ji as the governor of Bingzhou, acting as the governor. In the 22nd year of Zhenguan, Li Ji was named the East Palace Zhan Shi by Li Shimin, assisting the then crown prince Li Zhi.
Now Li Zhi's son Li Xian worships Li Ji as his teacher. In this way, Li Ji has been the teacher of two generations of emperors. This shows how much the Tian family trusts Li Ji.
Although Li Ji was a famous general, he was not illiterate. In fact, the cultural level of the famous generals in the world was quite high.
The teachers and students were chatting in the front hall. Li Ji casually dictated a few words about scholarship and supervised the studies of Prince Li Xian. Li Xian behaved very respectfully in front of Li Ji. Li Xian's character was originally very gentle and gentle. He kept his posture very low in front of the man who had made great contributions to the Three Dynasties.
After chatting for a while, Li Xian excused himself knowingly when Li Ji showed signs of fatigue.
After leaving the front hall, Li Xian did not leave and found Li Qinzai in the side courtyard of Guogong Mansion.
After the death of the former crown prince Li Hong, Li Qinzai and Li Xian had a good relationship, and the two had many contacts as friends.
Now the relationship between the two has developed to the point where they can travel in disguise, go to a brothel in a low-key manner for a few drinks, and even make some erotic jokes to each other.
When I found Li Qinzai in the courtyard, Li Xian was not polite and found a warm place to sit down.
Seeing snacks such as dried fruits and preserved meat placed in front of Li Qinzai, Li Xian picked through them, picked up a piece of preserved meat and stuffed it into his mouth to chew.
Li Qinzai looked him over, sighed, and said, "What shall we discuss in the future?"
Li Xian said vaguely: "Why did Jingchu say this?"
Li Qinzai clapped his fingers and said, "Look, you are my grandfather's student. In terms of seniority, I have to call you uncle..."
"But your brother Li Xian is my disciple. In terms of seniority, you have to call me uncle..."
"We are friends in private and we are equals. From this point of view, your uncle is my uncle. Therefore, you are your own uncle and I am also my own uncle..."
Li Xian had the meat jerky in his mouth and forgot to chew it, looking at him with dull eyes.