noveltune Chapter 5472 The Prince is Critically Ill
Chapter 5472 The Prince is Critically Ill
Chapter 5472 The Prince is Critically Ill
Winter sailing is always arduous. Even the most arduous journey along the Jiangnan waterways is made difficult by the cold weather and heavy humidity. However, Wu Zetian remained smiling and tender throughout the journey, without uttering a single complaint.
In recent years, she has left Chang'an to take charge of the business. Although she has greatly satisfied her desire for power by holding great power and controlling the Tang Dynasty's maritime trade, she is inevitably lonely due to the long separation from her husband. How can she taste the pain of longing when they meet occasionally?
From the time Fang Jun arrived in Huating Town until his return to Chang'an, more than two months passed without any disturbance from others. They were deeply in love and affectionate, truly a picture of blissful intimacy.
Sailing north along the canal, with snowflakes falling and a chilly river breeze, the couple could sit by the window, drinking wine or sipping tea, enjoying the scenery and discussing the landscape.
They traveled by boat to Luoyang, where they disembarked and transferred to horse-drawn carriages. They then traveled along the Xiaohan Road into Guanzhong, passed Tongguan, and returned to Chang'an on the fourth day of the twelfth lunar month.
At the Ba River Bridge, snow was falling heavily. The two brothers, Fang Yize and Fang Yiyi, who had been waiting there every day on their mother's orders, were dressed in thick fur coats and wearing sable hats. When they saw the caravan coming, they quickly went forward to greet it.
Fang Yize rode his horse closer to the carriage, peeked through the lifted curtain at Fang Jun and Wu Meiniang, greeted them with a smile, then turned serious and said to Fang Jun, "Second brother, the Prince of Hejian is seriously ill and will likely pass away in the next day or two. Should you go back to your residence, pack your things, and then go to visit him, or should you go directly now?"
Everyone in the family knew that Fang Jun and Li Xiaogong, despite being of different generations, had a very good relationship. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they were "friends despite their age difference." Therefore, Fang Yize, the head of the household, was determined to inform Fang Jun about this matter as soon as possible.
Fang Jun sighed softly and said to Wu Meiniang, "I have a very close friendship with the Prince, and I will definitely want to see him one last time. You should go back to your residence first, and I will go to the Prince's residence to visit him."
Wu Meiniang gave a soft "hmm" and instructed, "The Prince has always been worried about the future of his son, Sanlang. Why don't you, my lord, dispel his worries?"
Fang Jun thought for a moment and nodded.
He then dismounted from the carriage, changed into a warhorse, donned a brocade hat and sable fur, and, surrounded by dozens of personal guards, went ahead and entered the city directly through Chunming Gate, heading towards the Prince of Hejian's residence.
After entering the city, the snow fell even heavier, swirling and creating a vast expanse of white, enveloping the neighborhoods and palaces.
Upon arriving at the Prince's Mansion, the group reined in their horses and stopped. Fang Jun dismounted and glanced at the various carriages that had already filled the streets and alleys, including the imperial carriage.
I stepped onto the steps in front of the door.
As the steward led Fang Jun inside, he sent someone to inform the head of the household. Before Fang Jun could take a few steps, Li Chongzhen, who had received the news, hurried over.
"This humble general greets the Grand Commandant!"
"Hmm, no need for formalities. How is the Prince doing now?"
The two walked towards the inner courtyard. Li Chongzhen looked solemn, shook his head, and said, "The imperial physician said that my father was wounded in battle when he led the army in his early years, which greatly damaged his health. After the founding of the country, he indulged in wine and women for a long time. Now his illness is terminal and medicine is ineffective. There is no way to save him."
Fang Jun nodded, saying as they walked, "Your Highness has made outstanding contributions and will be remembered in history. You are a great contributor to the founding of the Tang Dynasty. You have no regrets about your life, having reached the pinnacle of your position. But what are your plans?"
Li Chongzhen remained silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I am willing to await the Grand Commandant's orders and serve him with utmost loyalty!"
His status is rather special. With Li Xiaogong around, he can naturally thrive in the "Hundred Cavalry Division." However, once Li Xiaogong passes away, the "Hundred Cavalry Division," now under the command of Li Jingye, will inevitably ostracize him, putting him in an extremely awkward position.
However, given the immense power of the "Hundred Cavalry Division," having one of Fang Jun's own men within it would be quite advantageous...
Fang Jun continued walking, smiled, and said, "There are many misunderstandings between me and His Majesty, so how can I let you be caught in the middle? The development of Liaodong is in full swing, and the control of the local Hu tribes is extremely important. If you have no other ideas, then go to Liaodong and choose a place to serve as governor."
Li Chongzhen was overjoyed: "Thank you for your guidance, Grand Commandant!"
Given the tense atmosphere in Taiji Palace and the Eastern Palace, his position in the "Hundred Cavalry Division" was almost equivalent to that of an "undercover agent," making his situation extremely dangerous.
If one were to go out and serve as a "Governor-General", one would not only escape danger but also gain a distinguished position in the army. How could one not be happy?
Li Junxian had gone to great lengths to escape the "Hundred Cavalry Division" back then, and now he serves as a Sima in the Hanhai Protectorate, living a carefree and happy life.
After all, anyone with a bit of ambition and aspirations would rather remain a lowly military leader in the "Hundred Cavalry Division" forever...
Inside the front hall, Li Chengqian sat in the center, surrounded by a host of meritorious officials from the Zhenguan era, including Li Ji, Li Jing, Li Yuanjia, Cheng Yaojin, Liang Jianfang, and Zheng Rentai. They spoke in hushed tones, creating a solemn atmosphere.
Fang Jun entered, first bowed to Li Chengqian, and then exchanged greetings with the others.
Li Chengqian said with concern, "Second Brother, go in first to visit Uncle Wang, and we'll talk when you come out."
"Here."
Fang Jungong responded respectfully, then gestured to the others one by one, and entered the inner courtyard under the guidance of Li Chongzhen.
The bedroom was filled with a strong smell of herbs and a rotten, musty odor, a smell often associated with elderly people who are bedridden and nearing their end...
Li Chongyi and Li Hui, who were inside the room, quickly stepped forward to pay their respects. The other concubines of Li Xiaogong, who were serving around the bed, also bowed and stepped aside when they saw Fang Jun enter behind Li Chongzhen. Fang Jun and Li Xiaogong were close friends and Fang Jun often visited Li Xiaogong, so it was no problem for him to enter the room without permission. Therefore, the concubines did not need to avoid him as if he were a stranger.
Fang Jun walked to the bedside and saw Li Xiaogong lying quietly with his eyes closed. His face was covered with wrinkles, his muscles were loose and covered with age spots, and his chest and abdomen were almost flat.
Li Chongyi tiptoed to the bedside and whispered in Li Xiaogong's ear, "Father, the Grand Commandant is here, Father..."
Li Hui whispered from the side, "Father had instructed us that if the Grand Commandant could catch up, he must wake him up."
Fang Jun nodded.
After being called several times, Li Xiaogong, who was in a deep sleep, slowly opened his eyes, and it took him a while to focus his gaze...
Fang Jun stepped forward and asked gently, "Your Highness, are you alright?"
Li Xiaogong exhaled and murmured, "Fate has already been decided, there's no way to change it..."
He struggled to raise his trembling hand, and Fang Jun quickly reached out and grasped his hand, smiling and comforting him: "The Prince's achievements in life are few and far between. He created an empire and made great contributions to the country. He will surely be remembered in history and be remembered for generations to come. Moreover, his descendants are successful and his family business is prosperous. Such a life is the envy of others."
Li Xiaogong sighed, "That's true, but people are always greedy and demanding, and there are still things on their minds that they can't let go of."
Fang Jun said, "At this time, even if one has any wishes, as long as one speaks them before His Majesty, how could he not grant them?"
Li Chengqian had always treated this uncle with great respect, and although he knew of his lingering ties with the Crown Prince, he never reprimanded him. How could he not grant his dying wish?
Li Xiaogong gasped for breath, his chest and abdomen heaving rapidly, before finally saying, "I can only ask you for these things."
Although not much was said, the meaning was quite clear.
He didn't think His Majesty could last long...
Fang Jun remained silent, then sighed and said, "Your Highness, please speak up. If it is within my power, I will certainly not refuse."
Li Xiaogong said, "The property and title of the Jiangnan Shipyard will be left to the eldest son and will not be divided."
Generally, after an elderly person passes away, their descendants will divide the family property and property.
Fang Jun hesitated, glanced at Li Hui and Li Chongzhen, and said, "Money and silk are external things. Why should we let them cause discord between brothers?"
Li Hui and Li Chongzhen said in unison, "Father has already discussed this matter with us, and we have already agreed. Grand Commandant, there is no need to make things difficult for us."
Fang Jun looked at Li Xiaogong and said with a smile, "The Prince's family has strict discipline, and his father is kind and his son is filial, making him a model for the times."
With the flourishing of maritime trade, it was foreseeable that the Jiangnan Shipyard would not decline for the next century, thus ensuring its continued prosperity. Today, the Jiangnan Shipyard is the largest in the world, and its profits far exceed mere daily earnings.
It is no easy feat to give up such a vast family business.
However, he also understood Li Xiaogong's meaning, which was that the eldest son's branch could inherit his legacy to the greatest extent possible and ensure the family's long-term prosperity.
For truly powerful and influential families, apart from the direct line, everyone else can be disregarded...
Before Li Xiaogong could speak, he continued, "Second Brother can be appointed as a general in the Left Jinwu Guard, and Third Brother can be transferred from the 'Hundred Cavalry Division' to Liaodong to serve as the governor."
Li Xiaogong then smiled and squeezed Fang Jun's hand tightly.
It's truly a blessing to have such a confidant...
After saying a few more words, Li Xiaogong, exhausted, fell into a deep sleep. Fang Jun gave him a long look before turning and leaving the bedroom.
Inside the front hall, Fang Jun sat down to Li Chengqian's left, and a maid served him fragrant tea.
Li Chengqian said, “The Prince is over seventy years old, with unparalleled achievements. He has spent his life in military campaigns and enjoyed wealth and honor. It is a good thing that he has long since recovered from his illness… Is this to tell Erlang his last wishes?”
He was somewhat dissatisfied. On his deathbed, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty bypassed him and asked Fang Jun to handle his affairs. What was the reason for this?
Do they still see him as the emperor?
Fang Jun nodded: "Your Majesty is right. However, the Prince's instructions are related to the Jiangnan Shipyard, so he specifically gave me a few words of advice."
Li Chengqian nodded without saying anything more.
If it were about the Jiangnan Shipyard, he wouldn't be angry. After all, it was Fang Jun and Li Xiaogong's property, and even he, the emperor, couldn't interfere. But if Li Xiaogong really asked him for help regarding the shipyard, only to be rebuffed by Fang Jun afterwards, it would be awkward for him...
Li Ji said, "The Khitans are suddenly in turmoil, and Zhou Daowu's account is vague. We don't know the exact situation there. Liaodong is a strategic location and cannot be lost."
After returning to Chang'an, Zhou Daowu naturally dared not speak nonsense. Moreover, he had no evidence whatsoever, so how could he dare to "falsely accuse" Fang Jun of instigating internal strife in the Khitan? When faced with questioning from the Council of State Affairs and the Grand Council, he stammered and gave perfunctory answers, and then closed his doors to visitors.
However, the imperial court grew increasingly suspicious of the Khitan affairs.