It was only the end of April, and the sun was already getting a bit bright. Li Shan got dressed and went out in the carriage early in the morning, feeling a little stuffy.
There is no way. The clothes of the heir are very complicated. Cui Shiniang and two maids have been busy for a while to finish them. Moreover, it is not convenient to ride a horse in these clothes. But today, when we go to welcome the meritorious generals, we need to treat the meritorious generals with courtesy. Can't be rude.
There was no need to go to Chang'an. Li Shan went directly to Changlepo. Officials from the Ministry of Rites and Guanglu Temple and Taichang Temple were already there. To Li Shan's surprise, Princess Pingyang also arrived.
"Why are third sisters here?"
Princess Pingyang seemed to have a bad look on her face and said in a low voice: "Father ordered the Guanglu Temple Liangqing Department to bring fine wine to salute the generals who returned to the capital as a reward."
After a pause, Princess Pingyang added: "Master Li, Zhang Baoxiang, and Kan Ling also have to give wine."
Li Shan now understood in his heart that Li Yuan was not treating the generals who had returned to the capital with meritorious service that day, so today he specially asked the clan to come forward to comfort him. It was naturally inappropriate for the prince and King Qin to come forward. King Qi did not have such prestige, so Princess Pingyang was suitable.
Seeing this sister staring at him with piercing eyes, Li Shan felt excited, pretending to be curious and asked in a low voice: "What happened to my uncle that day..."
Princess Pingyang breathed a sigh of relief, but scolded her with a straight face, "Why are you asking so many questions?"
"Yes, yes." Li Shan also breathed a sigh of relief and turned his gaze to the north. Smoke and dust were gradually rising in the distance. Su Dingfang finally returned to Beijing.
In fact, Li Shan quickly guessed the truth after hearing Ling Jing mention it that night. Li Keshi and Kan Ling were returning to Chang'an from Yinzhou and Xiazhou, and they must have brought news from there.
There was only one possibility that could make Li Yuan lose his temper like that... It was probably because something happened to Xue Jieyu.
But what Li Shan is not sure about is what is the situation of the unlucky Xue Daoheng's beloved daughter now, whether she is dead or alive... Could it be that Li Yuan hasn't made a decision yet, or hasn't had time to make a decision yet? She’s already given birth, right? !
Li Shan felt that the last possibility was the highest, and maybe the baby would still be a son.
Li Shan can't remember whether there is any precedent of this kind in history, but there is in later generations. Genghis Khan Temujin's wife was kidnapped by the enemy. When she was rescued, she was already pregnant, and she gave birth to Temujin's eldest son. Jochi.
But it is said that Temujin’s wife was abducted for only nine months, so she might have been pregnant before. Xue Jieyu was abducted in mid-June last year, and now it is the end of April. No matter how you count... If Li Yuan is not involved, we can't say that Xue Jieyu gave birth to a little Nezha, right?
Tsk tsk, the cuckold has been confirmed, no wonder Li Yuan is so rude... that is, the matter has not spread widely, otherwise Li Yuan's face will be lost a thousand years later.
So Li Yuan looked ugly when he saw Li Keshi and Zhang Baoxiang... Maybe he was wondering in his heart whether these people knew anything about it.
Li Shan often wondered whether he should write a "Secret History of the Early Tang Dynasty" in his later years. It could record many interesting things and maybe be passed down to future generations and become archaeological data.
"History of the Tang Dynasty" does not match "The Secret History of the Early Tang Dynasty"?
That must be because the former is wrong, or the author did it deliberately. Who doesn't know that Li Huairen, the author of "The Secret History of the Early Tang Dynasty", dared to record anything!
But Li Shan was also hesitant. After all, in history, the old man Wei Zheng had learned from the past. He just wrote a remonstrance and was pushed to regret his marriage. He recorded these things himself. If he was found out, the whole family might be in trouble. .
How about finding a scapegoat to write about in your later years?
While Li Shan was thinking wildly, a dozen war horses galloped over and stopped dozens of steps away. The generals dismounted and strode over, led by Su Dingfang.
"Meet His Highness the King of Wei."
"Meet His Highness the King of Wei."
Li Shan glanced around. He actually didn't know exactly who the generals were who were returning to the court. Anyway, apart from his own direct lineage, the ones with the best connections, such as Xue Wanche and Zhang Shigui, had already made arrangements.
"Recovering several states, Helan's victory, all generals have made great contributions." Li Shan said loudly: "The saint is very happy, and there will be rewards in the court."
"Come here, pour some wine." Li Shan turned around and signaled, and Li Keshi, Kan Ling, and Zhang Baoxiang also stood in the queue.
Li Shan smiled and pointed at Duan Zhixuan, "I heard that you fought bravely in the battle of Helan and killed several members of General Liang Jun. I will spare you this time."
Duan Zhixuan smiled brightly. Ever since the Battle of Jingzhou, whenever the army had a banquet, Li Shan would let Duan Zhixuan be responsible for pouring the wine.
Li Shan picked up the wine cup and walked forward slowly, "After half a year of fighting, we first defeated the Turks, then destroyed the Liang Kingdom, drove out the barbarians, and captured the enemy chieftains. This wine was congratulated by all the generals, and also by the Tang Dynasty, and even more Soldiers who died in battle.”
"The heroic spirit is not far away, let's drink this wine together."
Su Dingfang raised the wine cup high and tilted half of the cup of wine to the ground. All the generals were considered Li Shan's old troops and had seen it at the celebration party for the Jingzhou victory, so they all followed suit.
Li Shan raised the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.
All the generals raised their wine cups and drank them all in one gulp. The scene was solemn and there was not a trace of noise.
Princess Pingyang in the rear squinted at this scene, thinking that Huairen had been able to win over the generals in several battles. What she saw in front of her was that no matter the prince's confidants or the Qin King's favorite generals, they were all convinced.
Perhaps Huairen really never has the chance to lead the army in battle.
Next, it was all about Guanglu Temple and Taichang Temple. Although Li Shan was wearing royal robes, he still looked like he was last year. He was joking with the generals, laughing and cursing from time to time.
"My uncle is a bit rough when he returns to Beijing this time. I'm afraid that my aunt will blame my nephew." Li Shan took some time to chat with Master Li. After the latter returned to Beijing, Li Shan had not paid a visit to him. After all, he had some taboos. ...It was not that Li Keshi was his subordinate, but Li Shan immediately guessed why Li Keshi was treated coldly by Li Yuan.
What if Li Yuan found out about his early visit...
"Huairen was joking, isn't it a bit dark?" Guest Master Li smiled bitterly. He is still confused. He didn't say a word during the meeting that day... and was almost driven away.
"It's okay." Li Shan whispered, "We'll discuss it later when we visit."
Li Shan turned his head and glanced, motioning for Su Dingfang to come over, and said in a low voice: "Brother Dingfang's arrangement is hard to say. It still needs to be considered. His Highness has high hopes for my uncle."
Li Keshi was shocked. He knew something. After Li Shan resigned as the coach, he discussed with his son Li Kai that he was probably the first general to be transferred back to Chang'an.
The reason is not complicated, because Li Shan's identity and position are in the lineage of the King of Qin. Only the King of Qin, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Changsun Wuji, and Ling Jing know that Li Keshi is the only general serving in the Beiya Forbidden Army. ...Li Shan has just explained that although Su Dingfang is the general of the left prison guard, his actual authority is not the same as before.
Therefore, Li Keshi is likely to become another channel between Li Shimin and Li Shan besides Ling Jing, which may be useful at critical moments.
(End of chapter)
