"Everything is almost ready, right? The journey to the Western Regions is long, and supplies are scarce there. If we don't bring everything, we won't be able to buy anything when we get there."
After his wife left, Cheng Yaojin's face immediately became stern. In this era, strict fathers and kind mothers were emphasized, especially when facing their sons, fathers were always serious. Cheng Yaojin was like a killing god at this moment, and he was actually a little worried in his heart.
If he were five years younger, Cheng Yaojin would not have worried about his sons and would have let them join the army and train them hard. How could his sons become successful without the tempering of war?
But as he grew older, Cheng Yaojin gradually realized that he was old now and his future depended on his two sons. So when his two sons went to the battlefield, Cheng Yaojin thought of the cruelty of the battlefield. The northwest battlefield was full of swords and knives, and these two sons...
"I've already prepared my reply to Father. Although Lord Zhao's letter didn't explicitly state it, there are no generals guarding the border of the Tang Dynasty. This is also a very dangerous situation. So after discussing with my second brother, we two brothers decided to set out overnight and reach the Gaochang border as quickly as possible."
Although Cheng Chumo was speaking to his father, he acted as if he was in the military camp. This was a habit he had developed since childhood. Cheng Yaojin had treated his two sons as his own generals since they were young, which allowed the two sons to better integrate into military life.
"You two are right. The three of us, father and son, are deeply indebted to the Emperor. This is why we have the Duke's Mansion. Everything must be done for the benefit of the Tang Dynasty. I have nothing to tell you. When you reach the battlefield, fight bravely. Remember, you are from my Cheng family and you must not bring shame upon me, Cheng Yaojin."
Cheng Yaojin originally wanted to tell his two sons to be careful, but the words couldn't come out of his mouth. In the end, he said these words, and the two sons didn't feel anything wrong. After all, their father always said these words when they were carrying out missions before, and they both had almost memorized them. It was precisely because of this that the two of them had nothing to be nervous about, but instead felt a little excited.
Every time they led troops to the front line, they would get some promotions after returning. Now, among the young masters in Chang'an City, their ranking is not very high, which is a bit unworthy of the name of Cheng Yaojin. Fortunately, they got the opportunity this time, and they are ready to seize the time to gain some experience.
"Follow my father's teachings."
The two brothers knelt in front of Cheng Yaojin.
Cheng Yaojin wanted to explain some other things, but he suddenly thought of himself and wondered why he was so fussy. When he went to the battlefield, he was not as big as these two guys, and no one told him anything like that, but he still came here.
"Then you can set off. I wish my son a safe journey."
Cheng Yaojin waved his hand, and the old housekeeper brought three bowls of wine. It was not the first time for the three of them to drink, so they picked up the bowls and drank them all in one gulp. The two brothers bowed to Cheng Yaojin, turned around and prepared to set off.
When the generals in Chang'an City learned that the two brothers set out overnight, they all said that Cheng Yaojin's two sons were remarkable men. Even Li Shimin praised them highly.
The next day, the court also issued an imperial edict, handing over all matters in the northwest to Li Xiang. The imperial edict did not mention anything else, but only asked Li Xiang to handle it at his discretion.
After hearing the imperial edict, the ministers all frowned. This was equivalent to decentralizing power, but it was not necessarily a good thing for Li Xiang. If it was handled well, it would mean that the emperor had the courage to use him.
If you don't handle it well, you will betray the emperor's trust. How could you handle things like this? It's only natural to punish you for negligence.
But this is all the emperor's operation. The ministers have no objections except kneeling down and shouting "Long live the emperor". What's more, the imperial edict has been written, which represents the emperor's strongest will. If you have any objections, wouldn't you be asking for trouble for yourself and your family?
When leaving the court, Li Shimin took a glance and saw that Prince Wu Li Ke had indeed come to the court, but because he had been kneeling in the Taimiao all night, he looked very spirited.
After arriving at the study, most people went out, only the prime minister and Zhangsun Wuji stayed here, and the other one was the Minister of Rites Cui Daozhi.
He came here for an important matter. The Nanzhao Kingdom sent an envoy, hoping to form a marriage alliance with the Tang Dynasty. Of course, they were not here to marry the princess. They had long known the national policy of the Tang Dynasty. The third princess in their country had just come of age and hoped to choose a prince or grandson to marry.
The Minister of Rites came here to listen to the imperial edict. The relationship between Nanzhao Kingdom and the Tang Dynasty has always been very good. The border between the two countries is almost undefended, and they send tribute every year. This is different from the countries in the Western Regions. The tribute they send is still valuable.
"It just so happens that you two are here too, so you can both share your opinions."
Li Shimin counted his sons and grandsons, and found that there were indeed quite a few who had grown up. So who should he let marry this daughter-in-law?
"In reply to the emperor, although there are many princes and grandchildren of marriageable age, they have all already married. Although Nanzhao is a small country, it has a good relationship with our Tang Dynasty. If we do not make her the principal wife, it would be unconscionable."
As the prime minister of the time, Fang Xuanling had a say in all matters. He thought carefully about Li Shimin's sons and grandsons. There were indeed many people of this age, but because Li Shimin wanted to have more children, they all had wives at such young ages.
What Fang Xuanling said made sense. After all, she was a princess of a country. If you married her as a concubine, that would be a bit too much. It would not be a marriage between the two families, but an enmity between them.
"Then can we find a royal man of the right age..."
Changsun Wuji thought of the sons of Emperor Gaozu of Tang. Since his abdication, Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, has not been idle. He has been working hard to sow seeds in the harem. He has quite a few sons, and many of them have not been clarified. Speaking of it, this is Li Shimin's half-brother, who should also be granted the title of prince in the Tang Dynasty. The marriage between the two countries is also reasonable.
"inappropriate."
After Changsun Wuji's words came out, Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling jointly denied it. After all, those people were separated by a layer. Giving them a nominal prince title was already a great favor, and letting them represent the Tang Dynasty to form an alliance through marriage?