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Chapter 256
Chapter 256
Chapter 256
Su Li remained composed during the increasingly tense court proceedings, displaying no signs of anger or panic. As for the matter of the land grant, Su Li didn’t attach too much significance to it. Furthermore, the land in the northwest had been forcibly imposed upon him by Li Er.
Amidst the court’s near-chaotic debates, Su Li stayed silent until Li Er made the final decision, ultimately ending the turmoil in the court. The meeting, organized by Su Li himself, was now concluded.
Inside the Hall of Governmental Affairs, Li Er and Empress Zhangsun sat facing each other. A rare smile graced Li Er’s countenance. Li Er had an illustrious history, commencing with his rebellion against the Sui Dynasty at fourteen. This led to a series of military victories in various battles. At nineteen, he defeated General Song Laosheng, pacified Huoyi, and captured Changan. At twenty, he triumphed over a formidable Western Qin army. At twenty-two, he vanquished Liu Wuzhou, defeated Song Jingang, and recaptured Taiyuan. By twenty-eight, he orchestrated the Xuanwu Gate Incident, marking his ascent to the throne.
Despite his challenges and obstacles, Li Er surmounted them all and solidified his position as the ruler of the Great Tang. Li Er had always been an astute and ambitious emperor, unafraid to take calculated risks and act decisively.
However, during this period, he had been restrained by Su Li for too long, causing him to nearly forget his true self—the renowned General of the Heavenly Strategies and the Great Khan.
Now, Li Er could temporarily relieve his heart’s heavy burden. In front of Empress Zhangsun, he passionately explained his decision to grant Su Li control over the northwest and his plans for governing the Great Tang. He wanted the people to recognize him as the true emperor of the Central Plains. Li Er seemed resolute in expressing all the thoughts and words he had held back for days.
Empress Zhangsun patiently listened without interruption, refraining from challenging any unreasonable aspects of Li Er’s words. “Take your time,” she said as Zhangsun Wuji brought tea.
Observing Li Er recovering from the grief of losing his son, Empress Zhangsun couldn’t help but wish that Li Er could find some happiness and peace in his life, regardless of whether granting the northwest to Su Li was politically correct.
At that moment, a palace eunuch arrived to announce that Wei Zheng, Kong Yingda, and other senior officers sought an audience with the emperor. Li Er’s mood immediately soured, and he knew what these officers intended to discuss when they met him.
“No audience, no audience, not seeing anyone!” Li Er sternly declared. Faced with the emperor’s refusal to meet them, Wei Zheng and Kong Yingda had no choice but to return to their residences.
Meanwhile, news of the emperor granting the title of “One Character Parallel King” to Prince Yongle, along with the Northwest Territories, spread rapidly in Changan City. In the bustling streets of Changan, where gossip circulated freely, the common people were the least concerned, given the nation’s prosperity and the strength of its citizens.
Regarding the emperor’s reward for Prince Yongle, the common folk felt it was well-deserved. After all, Prince Yongle was one of the few princes genuinely dedicated to the welfare of the people. Not only outside Changan but even within the city, many citizens held Prince Yongle in higher regard than Li Er.
The ordinary people cheered for Prince Yongle in the bustling streets with genuine enthusiasm. However, some more insightful scholars sighed and commented:
“The title and reward bestowed upon Prince Yongle are unquestionably merited. Nonetheless, with his newfound territory, he will undoubtedly need to journey to the northwest…”
Scholars in the bustling streets of Changan cautioned, making the city’s common folk realize the implications.
“What?! Prince Yongle is going to the northwest?!”
“Now that Prince Yongle has become a One Character Co-King with his territory, he will likely have to establish his residence within his domain…”
This revelation sent shockwaves through the common people, much like a stone thrown into a pond, creating ripples of concern. Many artisans and carpenters who had found employment in the princess’s residence were suddenly worried about their livelihoods. They had relied on their work there to provide for their families without concern.
With Prince Yongle departing from Changan, they began to fret about their future employment. Working in the princess’s residence had been similar to having a secure job, which improved their working conditions. Due to Prince Yongle’s actions, many commoners who had previously suffered under the oppression of aristocratic families had seen their workload ease and their living conditions improve.
The common people, laborers, and artisans were filled with deep sorrow. They worried about their future without Prince Yongle’s protection. They feared the aristocratic families and elites would regain power and continue exploiting the labor force once he left. The favorable working conditions that existed because of Prince Yongle would diminish significantly after his departure.
The unease among the common people began to spread outward from the center of Changan, much like a spider’s web.
“Will Prince Yongle still stand up for us common people if the aristocrats oppress us in the future?” a peasant asked a knowledgeable scholar while holding his hoe.
The scholar shook his head and pondered. You might not realize how vast the northwest is, as large as the Central Plains! Prince Yongle may not even have enough time to govern his territory properly. Would he go to great lengths to come back here?
Prince Yongle was a person, not a god. He wouldn’t have the energy or resources to effectively manage both territories. At this moment, the sighs and lamentations of the common people resonated throughout the city.
The common people didn’t blame Prince Yongle for accepting the new title and territory. They understood his responsibilities. However, they couldn’t help but feel anxious about the uncertain future without his protection.
In the common people’s hearts, there was resentment towards Emperor Li Er. They couldn’t understand why he had chosen to bestow the title and territory on Prince Yongle. Some even wondered Why it wasn’t Emperor Li Er going to govern the northwest.
In the eyes of the common people, it felt like an unjust decision. Why would the emperor send Prince Yongle to govern the distant northwest while he remained in the prosperous Central Plains?
Meanwhile, in the Princess’s residence, the female officers, servants, and attendants were allowed to choose whether to accompany Princess Changle to the northwest or stay behind. They had been treated well by Princess Changle and Prince Yongle, so when given the choice, they all decided to go with them. They considered it an honor to care for Princess Changle and Prince Yongle in their new venture.
As the Princess’s residence prepared to move, Changle couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of silence and contemplation. Sensing Changle’s emotions, Su Che, holding her hand, asked in his gentle voice, “Mom, what’s wrong?”
“Is it because you’re reluctant? When we are in the northwest, I will have your father build a grander and more luxurious palace than the Princess’s residence!”
Changle smiled and ruffled Su Che’s hair without saying a word. Changan had been her home since childhood, filled with countless precious memories, including all the moments shared with Su Li in the Princess’s residence. It was true. She was going to miss it dearly.
After a long silence, Changle finally turned to Su Li and asked, “Are we leaving the Tang Dynasty, separating ourselves from it?”
With a reassuring smile, Su Li replied, “No, we’re not. Once we’re in the northwest, you can come back to visit your family anytime you want. This won’t be a separation.”