noveltune Chapter 5483 Let it be
Chapter 5483 Let it be
Chapter 5483 Let it be
Li Chengqian was so angry he was practically fuming. He felt that all the refinement he had cultivated over the past half-life had vanished in this moment. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "You made this decision yourself? You've disgraced the royal family and brought shame upon our parents and brothers. Is this what you call making decisions?"
Princess Jinyang straightened her slender neck, refusing to back down: "That's my own business, it has nothing to do with anyone else!"
"You are a princess of the royal family, so your affairs are no longer just your own!"
"Then strip me of my title, reclaim my fiefdom, and demote me to a commoner!"
"And then you went and became someone's concubine?"
"What you love is sweet!"
"You, you, you, are you trying to drive me crazy?"
"Then just send me to Zhaoling to weed and clean the tombs of my father and mother. When I die, I can be buried there to keep them company. That way I can have some peace and quiet, instead of having to watch you all filthy and scheming in this Taiji Palace."
"Wow!"
Li Chengqian was so angry that his face turned red and his nostrils seemed to be spitting fire. "You've done something shameful, so how come you call me 'filthy and despicable'?"
This is absolutely outrageous!
Consort Shen was caught in the crossfire and felt incredibly embarrassed. Fortunately, the little prince in her arms was awakened by the siblings' argument and was crying. She quickly got up, picked up the little prince, and took her leave.
To my surprise, this little princess was usually gentle and kind, with a beautiful and intelligent appearance, and she was always amiable and gentle with everyone. I never expected her to have such a volatile temper and such a stubborn personality...
With only the brother and sister left in the room, the atmosphere became more relaxed.
Li Chengqian let out a breath, rubbed his face hard, and said helplessly, "Marrying Fang Jun is absolutely impossible. Even if I agreed, it wouldn't work. The imperial clan wouldn't agree, the entire court wouldn't agree, and most importantly, how am I supposed to explain this to my father and mother when I go to Zhaoling to pay my respects? Tell them that their most beloved and cherished daughter has become someone else's concubine? If that happens, I can only cover my face with a white cloth after I die, and I will have no face to meet my father and mother in the afterlife!"
He's at his wit's end.
Marrying Fang Jun is absolutely out of the question; there's no possibility of it. But forcing Jin Yang to sever all ties with Fang Jun and have no further connection with him also seems impossible, as this girl is already completely infatuated with Fang Jun.
Is it going to end up like Chang Le?
That Fang Er is truly hateful!
Princess Jinyang's tone softened as she realized that this matter was indeed putting His Majesty in a difficult position. She said gently, "We've come this far, what can we do?"
Li Chengqian retorted angrily, "You're so sure I'll compromise, aren't you? That's outrageous!"
But despite the complaints, could they really send their sister to Zhaoling and forbid her from seeing anyone?
He sighed and said, "I will bestow upon you the title of 'True Man Xuanyu' later, and you can cultivate Taoist arts at Xuanqing Temple, which will also put an end to the hopes of those who want to marry you."
For now, he could only deceive himself like this. Even if their affair had likely spread throughout Chang'an, as long as he, the emperor, did not acknowledge it, it was as if it had never happened.
As for having children in the future... we'll see then.
Li Chengqian had a splitting headache and was filled with anger but was helpless.
Princess Jinyang's lips curled up slightly, then she quickly pursed them and said weakly, "It is my sister who has put His Majesty in a difficult position."
Li Chengqian, holding his breath, said, "You know I'm in a difficult position? If that's the case, why do such a thing? You are my own sister. Although I can't give you this empire, I would give you anything you ask for, even the stars and the moon. But you just happen to be in love with that scoundrel Fang Er. I really... never mind."
At this point, he sighed, "What can be done now? I can't control you anymore. You'd better take care of yourself!"
He snorted angrily, got up, and stormed off.
Princess Jinyang sat there, her beautiful lips curving into an uncontrollable smile, her bright eyes sparkling, and a smug smile flashing across her pretty face.
She understood His Majesty's temperament too well, and she knew what His Majesty truly desired. With such a targeted approach, she was bound to be successful.
To grasp or manipulate.
*****
Winter snow is falling, and the end of the year is approaching.
Some time ago, the romantic affair between Princess Jinyang and the Grand Commandant spread throughout Chang'an. Whether in the court or in the streets, the matter was discussed and all kinds of rumors were rampant, which made Fang Jun's reputation as a "good princess" even more solidified.
However, as the New Year approached, government offices closed and sealed their seals one after another, and merchants from the East and West markets brought goods from all over the country in an endless stream, and the focus of public opinion gradually shifted to the New Year.
The best way to shift a topic is naturally to create another. In this day and age, information is not transmitted smoothly or quickly enough, so it is not easy to stir up public opinion again. However, as envoys from overseas vassal states and various foreign countries entered Chang'an and stayed at the Honglu Temple, and as a huge stone tablet with a world map was erected in front of the Honglu Temple, another discussion was finally sparked.
"My God! This is a world map?"
"People used to say that China is a 'nation of righteousness, with all nations submitting to its rule,' but it doesn't seem that big!"
"This map is from after the Grand Commandant led the navy to conquer vast territories overseas, and after the princes established their own states. Before that, the map was even smaller!"
For the Chinese people, they have never truly seen what the world is like. They only know from ancient times that there are sayings like "the center of the world" and "barbarians submit". They naturally believe that China is the center of the world and occupies the best place.
But looking at this map now, it seems that's not the case at all...
"What's the deal with these two large islands that seem connected yet disconnected? It's said that there are still remnants of the Shang Dynasty there? That's our territory, so why don't we establish a kingdom there and incorporate it into our territory?"
"I used to think the Western Regions was the far west, but it turns out there's such a vast area? The Abbasid Caliphate, Byzantium, the Western Roman Empire... What's wrong with our army? Why did we stop fighting after reaching Persia? There's so much territory to the west, and our army just went back to its place, putting away its weapons and letting its horses graze freely?"
"Our Grand Commandant boasts all day long about his unparalleled achievements and his dominance across the seven seas, yet he neglects to conquer so much territory and instead gets entangled with princesses. He's no good at all!"
“That’s right. If we incorporate all these territories into the Tang Dynasty’s territory, then even if we wipe out all the princesses, no one will complain!”
The Chinese nation does not advocate expansion, nor does it have much attachment to foreign territories. However, since its inception, this nation has long suffered humiliation and invasion from foreign tribes, which has made them understand a very simple truth: when you are strong, you do not fight others; when you are weak, you will be attacked by others.
Since the Tang Dynasty is now prosperous and powerful, and its army is invincible, why not take the opportunity to expand outwards, drive away those foreign tribes, and gain more strategic buffer space?
If we occupy more territory, we can hold out for longer when the nation weakens. Then, when outstanding individuals emerge amidst the decline and hardship, we can fight back...
More and more people joined the discussion, and as a result, more and more people flocked to the Imperial City and came to the Court of State Ceremonial, standing in front of the gate and shouting their appeals.
"March westward and crush the Abbasid Caliphate!"
"Capture Constantinople!"
"Turn the Mediterranean Sea into an inland lake of the Tang Dynasty!"
The crowd was in high spirits and full of fighting spirit.
When envoys from various foreign countries arrived in Chang'an, the most magnificent city of the time, they naturally wouldn't stay in the Honglu Temple's lodgings all day to sleep. Instead, they would wander around the city with their entourages to enjoy the sights. Now, being blocked at the gate, the envoys were bewildered and pulled the interpreter aside to ask.
When the interpreter translated the people's demands, the envoys from various foreign countries blushed, both surprised and furious.
"The Tang Dynasty is a land of propriety and etiquette; how could it commit such acts of robbery?"
"Our Frankish Kingdom is tens of thousands of miles away from the Tang Dynasty, and we have always traded with the Tang Dynasty. King Childrick admires Chinese culture very much. Why would you want to attack us?"
"Our black soil of Kievan Rus' is a gift from the gods, and we will never allow the Great Tang to covet and trample upon it!"
The foreign envoys were terrified. With so many people gathered at the entrance of the Court of State Ceremonial, urging the Tang Dynasty to send troops westward to punish the various countries, who wouldn't be afraid?
After all, even the mighty and invincible Abbasid Caliphate suffered repeated defeats at the hands of the Tang Dynasty and had to sign a series of humiliating treaties. No matter how overconfident they were, they dared not compare themselves to the Abbasid Caliphate. If the Tang cavalry and firearms were to sweep across Europe, how would they resist?
This is a disaster!
The interpreters quickly explained that the people were just venting their frustrations and shouldn't be taken seriously.
But how could the envoys believe it?
The population of Chang'an alone exceeds one million. How many people in these foreign lands could reach that number? If the people of Chang'an were to simply raise an army and launch a westward expedition, they would be utterly defeated…
They all demanded an audience with the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, so that he could give an opinion.
The interpreters had no choice but to report it.
When Dieyun, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, received the report from the officials, he went outside and took a look. He was immediately alarmed and hurried to the main hall to report to Cui Renshi, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies: "Your Excellency, something terrible has happened! A large number of people have gathered outside the gate and are asking for battle!"
Cui Renshi, who was handling official business, was completely bewildered and asked blankly, "Request to fight? Request to fight what? Is there any war going on in the Tang Dynasty right now? Or is there any place under invasion?"
Di Yun swallowed hard. "Those people outside, after looking at the map, want to send troops to the Americas to appease the remnants of the Shang dynasty and reclaim their homeland! They want to conquer the Abbasid Caliphate to ensure the Tang dynasty's status as the strongest nation in the world! They also want to capture Constantinople and Rome, turning the Mediterranean into an inland lake of the Tang dynasty! Even more extreme, some want the Grand Commandant to lead a western expedition, sending troops from Gongyue City straight to Kievan Rus' to occupy the black soil there, so they can farm there!"
Cui Renshi was speechless: "It was just a few words of anger from the people, why did it have to come to this?"
Now that the nation is focusing its resources on developing Dongting Lake and Liaodong, where would it find the strength to launch expeditions to the West?
Dieyun said with a wry smile, "But those foreign envoys don't believe it. They're terrified! They're demanding that the Minister of the Court give them a guarantee that he will never send troops, otherwise they'll return to their respective countries right now and actively prepare for war!"
Cui Renshi rubbed his temples and sighed, "Let them call them over, I'll try to calm them down."
At the same time, he felt quite proud. It was only a few commoners giving way to these foreign envoys, which was enough to show how powerful the Tang Dynasty's military was. Even the more distant Frankish Kingdom was trembling with fear. It was no exaggeration to say that the Tang Dynasty was awe-inspiring!