The people of the Tang Dynasty were very simple. They did not lack sex, nor did they lack the recognition and belonging to this dynasty.
Yes, people in ancient times were also patriotic, which may sound a bit counterintuitive, but they just changed the term patriotism and called it "loyalty to the emperor and serving the country."
Loyalty, which has been admired for thousands of years, cannot simply be understood as a tool used by rulers to fool the people, because from ancient times to the present, as long as the country is not too weak and the monarch is not too stupid, the people will love and protect the country from the bottom of their hearts. .
So when the Goguryeo military report reached Chang'an, the city of Chang'an was boiling.
The feud that lasted for decades is now over.
As the coach of this battle to destroy the country, Li Ji's prestige in the Tang Dynasty has reached its peak.
Countless people spontaneously came to the British Palace and did not need the people of the Duke's Palace to do anything. They just stood silently outside the door and bowed in front of the plaque of the Duke's Palace to express their admiration.
After the ceremony, he left, not to cause trouble to the people in the Duke's palace. Then he gritted his teeth and took out a few large coins to buy a jar of turbid wine. Invite a few friends, sit down in a pleasant place, and pour the turbid wine to Goguryeo. He paid his respects from a distance and said "You are a heroic man" and "The Tang Dynasty will be victorious".
Today is a carnival for the people of the Tang Dynasty.
Every tavern, every inn, and every household, rich or poor, in Chang'an City were cheering and getting drunk for the great victory of the Tang Dynasty.
The imperial court's war had nothing to do with the people. For this war, the people even had to pay more taxes and corvee.
But when the news came that Pyongyang had been destroyed, the people were still happy from the bottom of their hearts.
It was a national war in which the whole country devoted its material resources and manpower, and all the efforts were worth it.
In the morning, when the good news was known throughout the city, the gate of Tai Chi Palace quietly opened, and Li Zhi delivered the imperial edict.
The curfew was lifted in Chang'an City for three consecutive days, and the people rejoiced together to congratulate the victory of the Eastern Expedition.
This imperial edict pushed the joyous atmosphere in Chang'an City to a climax again. Gongs and drums were beaten in the streets and alleys, restaurants were packed, and cheers of "The Tang Dynasty was victorious" could be heard everywhere. There were also people who were already drunk in broad daylight and fell to the ground to sleep. Drunkard.
The things that Emperor Sui Yang failed to solve, and the things that Emperor Taizong failed to solve, were solved in the hands of the emperor today.
The famous generals who are good at fighting, the elite royal masters, and the grain, grass and labor contributed by millions of farmers who gritted their teeth and endured hunger, as well as the unstoppable national power.
On this day, the Tang Empire instantly shined with the most dazzling light in China's thousands of years of history.
People were coming and going in front of the Duke's Mansion, and many people came to salute outside the palace. Li Siwen and Li Qinzai, father and son, did not dare to neglect the people, so they simply waited outside the door. When people came to salute, the father and son returned the salute.
Until the afternoon, there were finally fewer people saluting. Li Qinzai was very tired. Li Siwen was stern, but he still felt sorry for his son. Li Qinzai needed to rest, how could he do such tiring work for a long time, so he asked his servants to push Li Qinzai back. Backyard retreat.
Li Siwen couldn't leave. In addition to dealing with the people outside the door, he also had to entertain the guests who came to the door. They were all colleagues and veterans in the court, and he couldn't neglect them.
Li Qinzai returned to the backyard and just lay down when Butler Wu hurried over again and told Li Qinzai with a look of embarrassment that he was invited by the East Palace.
Li Qinzai immediately sat up, looking quite surprised.
East Palace? Li Hong?
After returning to Chang'an, he heard that Li Hong was seriously ill. Li Qinzai originally planned to visit Li Hong in the East Palace.
He had a good impression of Li Hong. This prince, whom even history books spoke highly of, was actually a good person, humble and polite, neither violent nor arrogant, and personable.
There is no doubt that this is an heir trained under the true elite education of the Tang Dynasty. Li Qinzai is happy to deal with him. However, it is not suitable for foreign ministers to have close contact with the East Palace, so Li Qinzai does not have much interaction with Li Hong.
After Li Hong became seriously ill, Li Zhi ordered the East Palace to be sealed off in order to block the news from the outside world. Li Qinzai couldn't get in even if he wanted to take the initiative to visit. Unexpectedly, Li Hong took the initiative to summon him today.
After cleaning up, Li Qinzai went out and got on the carriage and headed towards the East Palace.
Although the East Palace was closed, Li Hong personally summoned Li Qinzai. After his identity was checked, Li Qinzai was released by the imperial guards.
Entering the East Palace Dormitory, Li Qinzai met Li Hong.
Li Hong was lying on the bed, his face very pale. Several imperial doctors stood next to him with worried faces, and several palace maids were holding medicine bowls and hot water. Li Qinzai even noticed with sharp eyes that one of the palace maids was holding a cup in both hands. The small brocade box contained a pill.
Li Qinzai's eyelids couldn't help but twitch. You are afraid that the prince will not die quickly enough. You dare to use the magician's elixir on a terminally ill person. Don't you know what the ingredients in the elixir are?
The doors and windows in the hall were tightly covered, and there was a strong smell of medicine inside. Li Qinzai frowned, but said nothing.
On the hospital bed, Li Hong turned his head and looked at Li Qinzai.
Li Qinzai bowed and saluted: "I pay my respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."
Li Hong smiled weakly at him: "Jingchu, it's been a long time."
Li Qinzai also smiled and said: "I haven't seen you for more than a year, and your highness has lost a lot of weight."
Li Hong smiled bitterly and said: "My body is not up to par, and I have let down my father, the emperor, my queen, and my subjects."
Instructing the palace servants to get a futon, Li Hong asked Li Qinzai to sit down in front of his bed.
Li Hong coughed for a while and said: "The victory of Goguryeo has arrived, and the whole country is rejoicing. The hero is worthy of being a famous general of our Tang Dynasty. He has avenged his feud for decades. The Tang Dynasty has no more powerful enemies. I am very happy and congratulated."
Li Qinzai sighed: "Your Highness, please get well soon. The Tang Dynasty has no strong enemies, but there are still many things to do. There are still stars and seas waiting for the Tang Dynasty to conquer. This is not something that one generation or two emperors can accomplish."
Li Hong showed a look of fascination and murmured: "Yes, there is still a lot to do. I heard my father said that the century-old strategy you proposed is really... magnificent. If you can personally participate, you will die." No regrets, but a pity..."
"Your Highness, there is no need to be pessimistic. You will definitely get better. The injury I suffered was even more serious. I was almost reincarnated. However, I was not rescued. Now, although I cannot say that I am alive and kicking, I can at least be said to be dying..."
Li Hong's eyes widened in surprise: "I'm dying..."
Then Li Hong laughed, laughed twice and then coughed violently, coughing until he was hoarse, and his pale face turned an unhealthy flush.
The imperial doctor next to him hurriedly stepped forward to check his pulse, turning his head from time to time and glaring at Li Qinzai with a reproachful look.
Li Qinzai touched his nose awkwardly.
I'm so mean-mouthed again, I really can't help myself...
After Li Hong calmed down, he waved his hand and ordered the imperial doctor to leave, and said with a smile: "It was very interesting chatting with Jing Chu. Even his health has improved a lot. If you were always by my side, I would not have been so short-lived..."
"Your Highness is in the prime of his life, why bother..."
Li Hong shook his head and said: "I have never been shy about life and death. Why would Jingchu lie to me? If I don't live long, I won't live long. I have been lying on the bed all year round. I have taken life, old age, illness and death lightly."
(End of chapter)
