Emperor Li wrote a letter and had it sent to Tengzhou. Just as he was about to send it, he heard that Li Xiang was requesting an audience. Emperor Li was quite fond of his grandson, a smart and adorable child who would appeal to anyone. He had Li Xiang ushered in, and soon a small head cautiously peered in. The mischievous look reminded Emperor Li of Li Yuanying.
Emperor Li couldn’t help but reprimand him, “Come in if you’re going to, why are you poking your head in like that?”
Li Xiang, having been scolded by Emperor Li, muttered under his breath, “Yao’er is to blame! He told me to check the mood of my grandfather before bringing up anything, and now I’m scolded before even speaking!”
Though he muttered, Li Xiang wasn’t afraid. He scurried over to Emperor Li and sat down beside him.
As soon as Emperor Li asked, Li Xiang, with a flourish, laid out his grand plan: all suitable-aged members of the imperial family should be sent to Hongwen Hall for studies. Since they were all there to learn, their social status should be disregarded and they should be treated equally. No special treatment for anyone. In the future, regardless of whether they wanted to pursue a civil or military career, they had to pass the same assessments as everyone else. As esteemed descendants of the Li family, they had the best learning environment and teachers. If they couldn’t even surpass ordinary children, then they should be content with their meager stipends and just live out their lives comfortably.
Emperor Li listened patiently to Li Xiang’s proposal. He took the plan that Li Xiang had presented, looked at him, and said, “What if you can’t surpass your brothers?”
Li Xiang didn’t show any worry, “If I can’t, I’ll just work harder to catch up with them. If I still can’t, I’ll admit that they are better than me. It’s good to have capable brothers helping out!” He beamed with anticipation, “If they are all skilled, I’ll be so comfortable. I can just leave everything to them and go wherever I want.”
Emperor Li: “…”
No matter how he looked at it, he felt like this kid was asking to be beaten. He really should limit his correspondence with Li Yuanying. Using his toes, Emperor Li could tell that this “everyone should come to the East Palace to play” idea was definitely from Li Yuanying.
Emperor Li said, “Go back. I’ll have a look at your plan.”
Li Xiang was satisfied with that answer. If he didn’t say “no,” it meant there was a chance! This lively and adorable Li Xiang ran away again.
Emperor Li didn’t immediately reject him, meaning he had agreed with Li Xiang’s idea. Hongwen Hall was large enough to accommodate the princes, princesses, and members of the imperial family. It wouldn’t hurt for the younger generation to spend time together. Whether they could learn anything meaningful depended on their own willingness.
Before Emperor Li could finish reading the plan Li Xiang had presented, someone brought in the Crown Prince’s memorial. Father and son had presented him with tasks one after the other. Emperor Li contemplated for a moment, and he felt this must be another one of Li Yuanying’s schemes. He put down Li Xiang’s plan and asked for the Crown Prince’s memorial.
Li Chengqian’s memorial was written sincerely, earnestly reflecting on his mistakes. He admitted to lacking experience and that he needed to improve in many areas. Then, he began to write about his experiences as the Crown Prince, expressing how he had been passive in the past and had not actively considered how to be a good Crown Prince. He now fully realized his errors. Since so many brothers had returned to the capital, and there were those who were filial towards their father, he, the Crown Prince, could use this opportunity to travel and experience the lives of the common people, understanding their hopes and desires, striving to become a crown prince who would be loved by the people and supported by the officials.
Emperor Li finished reading the memorial and his face twitched. Seeing the destination Li Chengqian had chosen, he knew it was Li Yuanying’s instigation again. Last year, Li Yuanying had already tried to get Li Chengqian to visit Tengzhou. Now that he felt Li Chengqian had been wronged, he brought it up again. Could not being a good crown prince be solved by taking a trip?
Emperor Li couldn’t understand Li Yuanying’s logic, and he started to have some resentment towards Li Chengqian as well. He had never considered removing the Crown Prince. Calling back his sons was just to see how many still had designs on the Crown Prince’s position, to test the Crown Prince, and to root out potential threats while he was still alive.
He didn’t expect that Li Chengqian wouldn’t worry at all, and instead, he would be thinking of going to see Li Yuanying. What kind of potion did Li Yuanying feed them? Emperor Li was annoyed. He simply gave Li Chengqian a “yes.” He wanted to see what good it would do for Li Chengqian to take a trip to Tengzhou!
Both Li Chengqian and his father received the approvals they wanted. They no longer felt the heavy atmosphere of impending doom and started making preparations for their respective arrangements. The stagnant atmosphere in the court was broken by the seemingly whimsical decisions of Li Chengqian and Li Xiang. Everyone began discussing in private: what was the meaning behind their actions?
Li Xiang summoned all the members of the imperial family to the Hongwen Hall in the East Palace, including three-year-old children. He said he would use his garden as a “kindergarten.” What was he trying to do? Was he really trying to act out a scene of brotherhood, or was he trying to manipulate the princes under his control? It was too ruthless! Nowadays, even nations at war didn’t hold each other’s children as hostages! Li Xiang, the eldest grandson of the emperor, had been labeled as “cunning and ruthless” in the eyes of many.
Of course, many people believed that it was the Crown Prince’s idea, thinking that although the Crown Prince seemed generous and kind, he was actually quite ruthless.
But then, news spread that Li Chengqian would be going to inspect Tengzhou. Everyone was stunned: was the Crown Prince out of his mind? Why would he run away at this crucial time?
Li Chengqian didn’t think he was crazy. Not only was he going to Tengzhou, but he would also be taking with him people from Chang’an who were willing to contribute to the development of Tengzhou. He would bring them to Tengzhou to exchange for a group of talented individuals who had been working there for a few years. This was also mentioned in Li Yuanying’s letter. Officials were appointed for three or five years. Li Yuanying had many officials who had reached the end of their term, and he could choose some for Li Chengqian to take back with him. But these people wouldn’t be given away for free. Li Chengqian needed to bring a batch of new talent in exchange.
This one-for-one exchange was actually disadvantageous for Tengzhou! Li Yuanying wouldn’t willingly take a loss. In his letter, he eloquently expressed how reluctant he was to part with these people and how much he was losing. He also detailed the skills and achievements of each individual, reminding Li Chengqian not to mistreat these pillars of the nation.
Li Chengqian felt that his “Yao Shu” was so adorable, even when taking credit for his work. The East Palace had no shortage of talented people, but those who had been tempered in the field, who could stand on their own and govern a region, were needed everywhere.
This one-for-one exchange did seem disadvantageous for Li Yuanying. Li Chengqian was very serious about selecting the people, taking a whole month before finalizing the list for his eastern tour. He led his entourage and left Chang’an.
Li Chengqian’s actions did not escape the eyes of others. Those who knew that these people were being “exchanged” for others in Tengzhou felt that Li Chengqian and Li Yuanying were both bold. One dared to send his own people to the East Palace, and the other actually dared to take them all. Even if they weren’t afraid of each other’s trickery, weren’t they afraid of Emperor Li’s suspicions?
Emperor Li knew about Li Chengqian’s selection of people to “exchange,” and it was Li Chengqian who told him. Li Yuanying had indeed taken a large group of talented people. Now, Li Chengqian was going to bring them back. Emperor Li didn’t object.
As for whether the East Palace would be filled with Li Yuanying’s people in the future, and whether Li Chengqian would collude with Li Yuanying to rebel, Emperor Li wasn’t worried for now. With Li Yuanying’s temperament, he would never do something as thankless as rebelling.
The “temperamental” Li Yuanying, upon hearing that his nephew was coming to visit, immediately forgot his anger at being scolded by Emperor Li. He begrudgingly placed Emperor Li back into the “good imperial brother” category. He gathered his subordinates and held a meeting to announce that those who had finished their term could return to the capital with Li Chengqian. He didn’t hide the situation in the capital, clearly explaining the risks involved in supporting the Crown Prince at this time.
Everyone had family and children, wives and daughters. They came to Tengzhou, perhaps for experience or perhaps for the camaraderie of their classmates. Li Yuanying couldn’t force them to follow him and stand with him, just because they trusted him to come to Tengzhou and develop the region. For those who pursued a career in officialdom, taking the wrong side would lead to certain disaster!
After Li Yuanying finished the meeting, many people had made their decision.
Tang Guan and Tang Xuan decided to return to the capital with the Crown Prince, to firmly support the Crown Prince when he needed them the most.
Wu Mei and Di Renjie decided to stay in Tengzhou. Wu Mei was due to her identity, feeling that she could be of greatest use in Tengzhou. Di Renjie, on the other hand, didn’t want to return to the capital and face his family’s pressure to get married. He believed that he was still young and could continue to strive for a few more years before considering marriage!
Others also expressed their decisions to Li Yuanying.
Whether they chose to return to the capital or stay, Li Yuanying had a heart-to-heart conversation with each of them, encouraging them to continue working hard, to shine for the Tang Dynasty wherever they were.
After a flurry of activity, Li Yuanying finally had some free time. It was mid-May, the weather was pleasant, and Li Yuanying took Wei Jiu for a boat trip on the lake, leisurely drifting on the afternoon breeze.
As the boat reached the center of the lake, Li Yuanying sipped his tea and sighed, saying to Wei Jiu, “I don’t know if what I’ve done will hurt them.” They didn’t have to make this choice so early. It was because he had decided to fully support the Crown Prince that they were facing this dilemma now.
Wei Jiu said, “When the nest is overturned, the eggs are broken.” Since Li Yuanying had already firmly sided with the Crown Prince, those who had followed him from the beginning had no choice but to support the Crown Prince. Even if they wanted to choose someone else, that person wouldn’t necessarily trust them.
Li Yuanying never dwelled on things for long. After chatting with Wei Jiu for a while, he stopped worrying. He excitedly called for someone to bring a pipa. He wanted to sing a little tune for Wei Jiu.
Soon, Wei Jiu was so annoyed by him that she wanted to cover his mouth.
Li Yuanying was completely shameless, daring to sing the most suggestive lyrics. When Wei Jiu was about to hit him, he threw down the pipa, laughed, and rushed over to kiss and hug his wife.
The servants discreetly retreated, exchanging amused glances.
The young prince was better off being carefree and happy.
After a day of fun, Li Yuanying returned to his mansion and heard from Dai Ting that the Crown Prince’s carriage would arrive within the borders of Tengzhou the next day. Li Yuanying slept soundly that night. Early the next morning, he personally rode out to greet his nephew and take a look at the crops along the way.
Li Chengqian stopped riding in his carriage after entering the territory of Tengzhou, choosing to ride on horseback instead, so he could enjoy the scenery.
He could vaguely see many houses on both sides of the official road. There were constantly horse-drawn carriages and oxcarts passing by. When they saw their large entourage, they all dodged out of the way. Fortunately, the official road was wide enough, and even when two teams of carriages met, it wasn’t narrow. The journey was smooth sailing all the way.
The two groups soon met.
As soon as Li Yuanying saw Li Chengqian, he spurred his horse forward and scrutinized him from top to bottom, “I heard you got injured last year, I was so worried!”
Li Chengqian dismounted, took a few steps, and turned around to show Li Yuanying that he was fine. He also scrutinized Li Yuanying, who had also dismounted, and laughed, “Yao Shu, you’ve grown taller.”
Li Yuanying looked pleased with himself, “Of course, I grow taller every year.” He held Li Chengqian’s hand and chatted for a while before remembering that there were others who had come with them. With a sigh of regret, he invited Li Chengqian to ride back to the city.
Everyone who came had already heard that Li Yuanying and Li Chengqian were close as uncle and nephew. Seeing them stand hand-in-hand under the scorching sun still made them feel that they were a little too close. Could someone born into the royal family have this kind of uncle-nephew bond? Many people who came to Tengzhou were not really looking to join Li Yuanying’s side. They came because of the Crown Prince’s reputation. Seeing the close relationship between the Crown Prince and Li Yuanying, they finally felt reassured.
They were all going to be sent to different places to gain experience. What difference did it make where they went? Tengzhou was a good option!
**Author’s Note:**
Young Prince: Tengzhou, a famous talent development base in the Tang Dynasty.
Update!
Because of our travel plans, four of us had never been there. I wanted to find a custom tour, and after getting a customized plan, everyone said it was expensive and the route was bad, so we decided to go on a group tour. Then, my mom said she didn’t want to go on a group tour, so we wouldn’t go. I was stuck with this dilemma until the evening, and I couldn’t think of anything to write. It ruined our 6,000-word full attendance bonus. ðŸ˜
Today, my mom and I cancelled our trip together. We’ll go on our own when we have the chance next time. I’m still not good at coordinating. I’m better at traveling alone. After all, I freeze up whenever I need to communicate (x)
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