Being born in an imperial family is not necessarily a blessing.
Most of the emperor's children are chess pieces or discarded pieces.
The three emperors of the Tang Dynasty, from Li Yuan to Li Zhi, were not competent fathers. Every change of emperor was accompanied by various mutinies and forced palaces.
People who only care about the country in their hearts see the world in their eyes, and it is difficult to lower their heads and see the close family love.
The emperor was not necessarily cold-hearted, but also had many unavoidable reasons.
Take Li Zhi, for example, after he came to the throne, he laid out a big chess game. In order to deal with the family members, he deposed the king and established Wu, acquiesced in the execution of Queen Wang and Xiao Shufei by Empress Wu, and then dealt with Changsun Wuji, etc., everything was for the sake of
Weaken the influence of aristocratic families on the royal family.
In this big game of chess, the only thing that cannot be taken into consideration is his children.
To do great things, there must be sacrifices, and his children undoubtedly became the victims.
If Li Qinzai did not exist in this world, Li Zhi's children would have to pay an even heavier price in a few years.
Looking at the two princesses Yiyang and Xuancheng kneeling in front of them, Li Zhi couldn't help but his eyes turned red.
Many years ago, he loved these two daughters very much, but since when did he almost forget about their existence?
Probably too busy...
The father and daughter almost cried holding each other's hands. Among the people present, the most embarrassed one was Empress Wu.
The current situation and fate of Li Zhi's children are mostly related to Empress Wu.
Empress Wu sat next to Li Zhi, watching the father and daughter's emotional crying with an expressionless face. Her heart was already as cold as a rock.
Family affection is not something she needs, nor does the affection of others.
Li Qinzai took a step forward and whispered: "If your majesty misses the prince and princesses, you may wish to visit Ganjingzhuang more often. The family ties between the Tian family are extremely precious, so please cherish them."
Li Zhi hummed, wiped his eyes, and said, "I will come to see them often in the future. Jingchu, I feel relieved to leave these children to you."
Li Qinzai bowed and said, "I will definitely live up to your Majesty's trust."
After appeasing Yiyang and Xuancheng's emotions, the two princesses resigned in a sensible manner.
There was silence in the front hall, and Li Zhi regained his composure. After pondering for a long time, he suddenly looked at Shangguan Yi and said: "Shangguan Minister, I heard that there have been some discussions between the government and the public recently, and there are many more memorials from courtiers than usual. Why?"
Shangguan Yi was surprised. He was the Minister of Xitai, and his supervisor was the Imperial Censor of the DPRK.
Li Zhi suddenly asked this question. Of course, he didn't say it casually. He had his own purpose.
Shangguan Yi pondered for a long time and then said slowly: "Your Majesty, in recent days, apart from local affairs, the most complicated thing that the court officials have communicated is to respectfully invite Your Majesty and the Queen to enshrine Mount Tai."
Li Zhi smiled and quickly looked at Empress Wu.
"The battle against Baekje, the battle against Tuyuhun led by Su Dingfang, coupled with last year's severe drought in the north and poor grain harvest, the treasury has been greatly consumed in recent years. At this time, is it not appropriate to grant a Zen title?" Li Zhi pretended with airs.
asked mockingly.
Shangguan Yi lowered his head and said nothing.
Qibi Heli looked at Li Zhi and then at Shangguan Yi. Even though the general was very nervous, he noticed something strange in the air at this time. He decisively touched his nose and held his forehead with one hand, as if he was drunk.
Empress Wu covered her mouth and chuckled and said: "Your Majesty, the Fengchan Taishan trip will not be possible this year. Your Majesty's decree will be issued. From Chang'an to Hedong Road, the national treasury will allocate money and food. The local governments will prepare for the visit, which will take at least one day.
Year and a half."
"The auspicious snow came early last year, and the weather is suitable for the beginning of spring this year. It will be a good harvest year, and the national treasury will gradually fill up. If we wait until next year to drive to Mount Tai, it will be the right time."
After saying that, Empress Wu glanced at Li Qinzai again and said with a smile: "Besides, Jingchu has made great contributions to Your Majesty this year by discovering a new grain seed with a yield of five thousand kilograms per mu. At this time next year, Your Majesty will be able to climb Mount Tai with the new grain seed.
Make sacrifices to heaven and earth and shine in temples."
Li Zhi's face suddenly lit up and he laughed and said: "What the Queen said is true. In the past few years, I have destroyed Baekje, destroyed the Japanese country, harvested Tuyuhun, and discovered new grain varieties. With so many achievements, I have made great achievements."
Isn’t it too much to enshrine Taishan in Zen?”
Empress Wu also smiled and said: "Of course it's not too much. Your Majesty is a rare wise monarch in the past, and his achievements are not inferior to those of the late emperor."
The couple sang and then settled the matter.
Shangguan Yi sat at the bottom, stroking his beard and smiling. Although he did not express his position, his expression seemed to agree.
Qibi Heli still held his forehead and pretended to be drunk.
The smile on Li Qinzai's face gradually stiffened. Seeing Li Zhi's proud look, he felt panicked for some reason.
…………
That night, Empress Li Zhiwu slept in another courtyard. As usual, she stayed in the best wing. There were many people in the courtyard, including imperial guards, and there were people standing on the roof.
Li Qinzai and Cui Jieqiaoer had to live in a side courtyard. Late at night, Cui Jie fell asleep beside them, but Li Qinzai suffered from insomnia.
He stood up and put on his clothes, gently opened the door and walked out.
Under the cool moonlight, Li Qinzai suddenly found Shangguan Yi sitting in the yard, staring blankly at the new moon in the sky.
Li Qinzai hurriedly stepped forward: "Grandpa Shangguan, are you... having insomnia or urinating on the bed?"
Shangguan Yi was stunned for a moment, then laughed and scolded: "Everyone said that Li Jingchu of Chang'an City was an out-and-out bastard in his early years. I didn't expect that the rumors were indeed true."
Li Qinzai smiled and said: "Juniors can still speak human language most of the time."
Shangguan Yi smiled and said, "Have you never been beaten when you didn't speak human words?"
"I was beaten by my grandfather and father in my early years. Later, after I was granted the title of County Marquis, others no longer dared to beat me."
Shangguan Yi nodded: "It's the truth. Who can be disrespectful to someone with an official title? Young man is proud of himself. It's rare to be neither arrogant nor impetuous and stick to his duty. Among the many children in Chang'an City, you are the most promising."
"Grandpa Shangguan, don't praise me. Unless you have two daughters who have not yet left the court, your praise will be in vain."
Shangguan Yi looked at Li Qinzai for a long time and suddenly said: "Today, His Majesty said that he would be granted the title of Zen Emperor Taishan. What does Jingchu think?"
"Of course I see with two eyes, kid."
"Slippery! You don't dare to tell the truth in front of His Majesty, and you don't dare to say it behind His Majesty's back? You are not a coward."
Li Qinzai chuckled: "Isn't it the same with Grandpa Shangguan? You don't even dare to speak out your words. You are a soft-spoken man, so of course you don't dare to speak out."
Two foxes, one old and one young, each pushed Tai Chi against each other with bad intentions, neither of them willing to tell the truth first.
After a long time, Shangguan Yi stroked his beard and said seriously: "Of course I agree with your Majesty's conferment of Zen on Mount Tai. What your Majesty said today is correct. In the past few years, His Majesty's rule has made many achievements, which are no less than the late emperor's civil and military achievements. It's just that of conferring Zen on Mount Tai."
,Who in the world dares to say otherwise?”
Li Qinzai also solemnly raised his hands in the direction of the house where Li Zhi lived, and said sternly: "What Grandpa Shangguan said is exactly what I think in my heart. Your Majesty's achievements have been through the ages. There are no ancients before and no newcomers after."
"You are so lucky to be born under the rule of Mingjun. Not to mention being granted the title of Zen. In my opinion, it would not be too much for Your Majesty to live on the top of Mount Tai from now on."