Chapter 322: Zhenguan Inner Zen
Changsun Wuji is feeling very conflicted right now, really really conflicted.

On the one hand, he really wanted to hear to whom Li Shimin wanted to abdicate the throne, but on the other hand, he wished he could plug his ears and not get involved in these matters that were not suitable for him, a relative by marriage.

Curiosity is something that is normal for people to have.

The question now is whether to pass the throne to the crown prince or to the crown prince's grandson.

Changsun Wuji felt that no matter how crazy his brother-in-law the emperor was, he would not do something like passing the throne directly to Li Xiang.

But no matter how much you think about it, it will remain a suspense until someone says it out loud.

Just as Li Shimin was about to say to whom he would abdicate the throne, he suddenly stopped. Changsun Wuji felt very fortunate and a little disappointed.

So he asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, is this kind of thing not appropriate for you to talk about with me?"

Li Shimin gave him a strange look in return.

"Why is this inappropriate? Didn't you already know the answer? Besides, you are the prince's uncle. I can't get rid of anyone but you, right?"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji became certain of his thoughts.

Chao, it turns out you really want to abdicate the throne to the Crown Prince?

"But this..." Changsun Wuji wanted to say something more. He just wanted to say that Your Majesty, although you are the emperor and you can pass the throne to anyone you want, can you at least follow a procedure?
Yes, I know you like Li Xiang very much. Who doesn’t like him?
But the problem is, the prince is still alive and well. You are passing it on to your grandson, bypassing the prince as his father. Isn't this a bit like imperial appointment, like you were appointing Mr. Li?
Undoubtedly, this will cause discord between father and son, and even the most open-minded person would find it difficult to accept.

Changsun Wuji felt that unless Li Chengqian was crazy, it was impossible for him not to have any doubts in his heart.

"There's no buts. I think it's very suitable." Li Shimin said firmly.

"Is it really appropriate?" Changsun Wuji asked with a frown.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "I think he is the most suitable candidate."

Zhang Sun Wuji raised his head and asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that's not entirely true, right?"

Hearing what Changsun Wuji said, Li Shimin raised his eyebrows.

Has Gao Ming's evaluation reached this point? Even his own uncle is not optimistic about his ascension to the throne?

Oh, maybe it’s because Xiang’er is so outstanding.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin said, "There is nothing we can do about it. Given the current situation, this is the only way."

Seeing that Li Shimin was still determined, Changsun Wuji felt that he could not go on like this.

If we just let Old Li do this, things will be a mess!

As his elder brother-in-law, Changsun Wuji felt that he needed to stand up.

"But I still think it's inappropriate."

"Oh? What's wrong with that?" Li Shimin was not angry. He always wanted to listen to other people's opinions.

"I think that there should be order among the elders and the younger ones. If Your Majesty wants to abdicate, you should give priority to the crown prince instead of abdicating to the crown prince, which will cause discord between father and son." Changsun Wuji said righteously.

Although Li Xiang was very outstanding and had a good relationship with the Changsun family, Changsun Wuji felt that as an uncle, he had to seek justice for his nephew.

After all, I have called him uncle for more than 30 years.

Li Shimin didn't expect this answer. He was stunned for a moment and then burst out laughing.

"Hahahahaha..."

It was not until he laughed until tears came out that Old Li wiped his eyes and said breathlessly: "So... So the auxiliary engine thought that I was going to pass the throne to Xiang'er?"

"Could it be that... Your Majesty was referring to the Crown Prince?" Changsun Wuji was stunned. He never thought that he and the emperor were not chatting on the same channel.

He is in a bad mood. Can't you just say it directly? You have to use this riddle man, right?
"Of course I will pass the throne to the crown prince first," Li Shimin said with a smile, "As the assistant minister said before, we cannot let the father and son fall out, so after much thought, I think it is more appropriate to pass the throne to the crown prince first."

"Your Majesty is wise." Changsun Wuji bowed and said sincerely.

At the same time, he felt relieved and a little disappointed.

This tone of relief was for Li Chengqian; and this sense of disappointment, of course, was for Li Xiang.

He was not too worried. After all, Li Xiang was only nineteen years old this year and he had a long life ahead of him.

"The sooner the better. I intend to pass the throne to the crown prince during the New Year's Day court meeting." Li Shimin was silent. "While I am still in good spirits, I will protect the crown prince for a few more years."

"Your Majesty is wise." Changsun Wuji said again.

Since Changsun Wuji expressed his support, Li Shimin became more determined.

He is a man of strong will and unyielding determination. In fact, even if Changsun Wuji objects, it will not affect his decision much.

Of course it’s better if they agree. After all, it’s better to have someone support you than oppose you.

Li Shimin did not tell anyone about this explosive news except a few close ministers, such as Fang Xuanling and Li Shiji.

Even Li Chengqian himself didn't know.

Amid intensive preparations, Old Li also prepared the abdication edict, waiting for the new emperor to ascend the throne so that he could move to the Daming Palace as soon as possible.

Time passed quietly, and in the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Day.

Li Xiang got up early on purpose, as the new year brought new hope. The 23rd year of Zhenguan also meant that the best grandson in the world, Aung, had passed his hurdle. As the eldest grandson, Li Xiang was naturally happy for Aung.

What’s different this year from previous years is that Li Wushuang is now old enough to run around.

When throwing beans into the well in the middle of the night, Li Xiang specifically asked Li Jue to keep an eye on Li Wushuang and make sure the child didn't fall into the well.

"Don't worry, big brother. I will take care of my niece." Li Jue, who just turned eleven during the Chinese New Year, patted his chest and promised Li Xiang.

Li Xiang stretched out his hand to pinch Li Jue's little face, and asked with a smile: "You said you were taking care of your niece, but I heard that you don't study hard on weekdays. If you continue like this, you will be surpassed by your niece."

"Brother, you look down on others too much. How could I be surpassed by my niece?" Li Jue felt a little guilty when he spoke. Family members know their own business. It is true that he does not like studying.

Then again, how can a child love to study, especially a teenager...

When the Tang Dynasty Royal Academy enrolled its first class, Li Jue was already seven years old, old enough to enroll.

So under Li Xiang's persuasion, the Crown Princess sent Li Jue to the Tang Royal Academy of Literature to be an ordinary student.

Li Jue was a bit naughty, but he was not a bad person. He did not rely on his status as the prince's son or the crown prince's grandson's brother to beat or scold his classmates. Instead, he made quite a few good friends.

At the beginning, Li Jue planned to get along with his classmates as an ordinary person.

It’s just that Li Jue was too naughty. He either took his classmates to climb trees or chase cats and dogs. One day, he really pissed off the teacher, so he asked Li Jue to call his parents.

It didn't matter that he yelled, but the head teacher was a little confused when he found out that his parent was actually the crown prince. Fortunately, Li Chengqian didn't blame the teacher. Instead, he beat Li Jue in front of the teacher and gave the teacher a ruler. He told the teacher that if Li Jue didn't obey in the future, he could beat him with the ruler. As long as he didn't kill or maim him, the teacher could do whatever he wanted.

Li Jue was really dispirited at this moment. This sword could be said to be the Imperial Sword, and it was a treasure specially made for Li Jue.

Teachers these days are different from those in later generations. As the saying goes, Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, Parents, and Teachers are all important to you. Teachers will not tolerate you no matter who you are. Since you call them teachers, of course they will discipline you strictly.

Just before the holiday, Li Jue was spanked hard on the butt by his teacher.

Li Jue didn't hold a grudge and just walked away laughing.

Li Xiang also heard about this matter, but did not express any objection.

This kid Li Jue is really too naughty. Someone really needs to control him.

Seeing Li Xiang's disbelieving expression, Li Jue immediately said, "Don't worry, brother. After the New Year, I will study hard at the Imperial Academy!"

"Really?" Li Xiang raised his head slightly.

"Really!" Li Jue raised his head and straightened his chest: "This is a man's promise!"

Li Xiang: …

Good man, you also want to play with men’s promises, right?

When Li Shu heard this, he pinched Li Jue's butt from behind.

"You look so small, have you grown all your hair yet?"

"Aunt!!!" Li Jue yelled, making everyone laugh.

"Hahahahahahaha..." Li Xiang really couldn't help laughing out of glee.

While laughing, he was still feeling lucky in his heart that he was already fourteen when he became familiar with Li Shu, otherwise he would have been punished by this little devil.

The Crown Princess held her daughter Li Xi and sat aside, living a peaceful life, listening to the conversation between Li Mingda and Pei Xueqing, occasionally interjecting a few words, without looking at Li Jue at all.

Hey, kid, it won’t hurt you if your aunt pinches you.

"I think Shu'er looks like a female hooligan." Li Ke whispered to Li Tai.

Li Tai nodded imperceptibly and kicked Li Zhi: "Zhi Nu, what do you think?"

"I think so too." Li Zhi nodded.

Then, Li Tai shouted.

"Shu'er, Zhinu said you look like a female hooligan!"

Li Zhi looked at Li Tai in disbelief, turned around and ran away without any hesitation.

It's somewhat suppressed by blood. Even though they are half-siblings, they grew up together after all.

Li Shu didn't intend to chase him to vent his anger. After looking up and seeing that Li Zhi had disappeared without a trace, he continued to lower his head and rub Li Jue's little face.

After Li Jue, Li Xi and Li Wushuang came back after throwing beans, the hour of Hai ended quietly.

The twenty-third year of Zhenguan passed away and entered the second day, which was also the midnight of the second year.

This year's grand court meeting seems to be more grand than previous years.

After the demise of the Western Turkic Khaganate, Li Shimin did not, as was customary, confer the title of prince on Yibishekui Khan. Instead, he split up the Western Turkic tribes and conferred the title of duke on the leaders of each tribe.

For example, the leader of the Gelulu tribe was the Duke of Ge, and the leader of the Basimi tribe was the Duke of Mi.

In this way, the Western Turkic tribes were divided and the leaders of each tribe became grateful to the Tang Dynasty.

At the same time, the Tang Dynasty did not forget other countries that had fought alongside it before. For example, the Uighur leader Tumidu was named Prince of Cheng'en; the Khitan leader Daha Kuge was named Prince of Yan'en... In short, the leaders of each tribe were treated equally as princes.

All the tribes were naturally delighted, especially the Uighurs, who even took the initiative to request to submit to the throne.

The Tang court had no objection, but the prerequisite was that they had to abandon the Uighur culture and instead learn all of Tang's Han culture.

I thought this would persuade the Uighurs to retreat, but I never expected that it would play into Tumidu's hands.

Tumidu first changed his name to Li Du. Of course, he did not change it randomly. After all, his son Porun was given the surname Li in the 17th year of Zhenguan, so he took his son's surname.

Afterwards, Tumidu took the initiative to request the Tang Dynasty court to send officials to the Huihe tribe. In short, it was a very... reasonable request, the kind that people couldn't bear to refuse.

As a result, the Sinicization activities were carried out in full swing within the Uighur tribe.

Those who came to the Tang Dynasty to attend the New Year's Grand Court Assembly this time included these newly-appointed dukes and princes.

The treatment given to them by the Tang Dynasty court was hereditary. As long as the Tang Dynasty existed, these tribal leaders who submitted to the Tang Dynasty would forever be dukes and princes of the Tang Dynasty.

Of course, this is a sweet treat to make them follow the Tang Dynasty wholeheartedly.

As for how the rulers of later generations dealt with it, such as paying for wine and depriving the title, that has nothing to do with the current Tang Dynasty.

The court meeting was held as usual, and there was no change due to the arrival of these tribal leaders.

Xiao Yu was still the host. With Sun Simiao in the capital, Xiao Yu's sister, Empress Xiao, had always been in good health. Plus, there was no dispute about being dismissed from his position as prime minister, so Xiao Yu was in a good mood - and his health was also very good. The old man was energetic and full of energy.

After Duke Jie Yuwen Lihuo and Duke Zun Yang Xingji finished their dance and led the civil and military officials through the process, the music in the venue changed.

According to the original rules, the music of Taihe should be played after this.

However, this time, the music played was "The Qin King's Battle Music".

No one knows why, but since the emperor arranged it this way, there must be a reason for it.

So all the civil and military officials suppressed their curiosity and calmed down to enjoy the dance and music.

After the dance and music ended, Xiao Yu stepped forward and took the imperial edict from the top.

He had read the contents of the imperial edict in advance. After all, as Li Shimin's close minister and relative, this matter should be discussed with him.

"Yes, there are rules!" Lao Xiao's voice was as loud as a bell, and you couldn't tell at all that he was a man in his eighties.

After hearing Xiao Yu's voice, all the civil and military officials as well as the ministers from foreign vassal states danced and then bowed down to the emperor.

"The way of heaven governs, and civilization controls the calendar; the great treasure is called the throne, and the emperor is in a high position. In the past, the meritorious officials did not prosper, so they followed the etiquette of abdication and sought to test others. Since the Three Dynasties, the world has been a family, and the succession of the body and the foundation has been passed down by the descendants..."

"The Crown Prince Chengqian has been a man of great virtue for a long time and has been a distinguished figure for a long time... The throne is passed on to Chengqian. The relevant departments shall prepare the ceremony and confer the title in due time. The ministers and officials, the governors and the chief officials in all directions, and even the scholars and the people, should all respectfully serve him to show my will!"

(End of this chapter)