Chapter 9: The Tibetans Seek Peace (Third Update, Vote Requested)

  Li Chengqian stole a peasant's ox for plowing fields, and after Li Shimin found out, the matter of the loss of the imperial seal also came to light.

  Two major events occurred simultaneously, causing Li Shimin to become so angry that he was furious and unstoppable. He summoned Li Chengqian and severely scolded him, also administering physical punishment, ordering Li Chengqian to be beaten with thirty heavy rods.

  If it weren't for Empress Changsun hearing the news and personally coming to plead, he would have been spared fifteen lashes; otherwise, thirty lashes in the imperial court would have at least kept Li Chengqian bedridden for three months.

  Even if Empress Longsun personally begged for mercy, it was still hard to dispel Emperor Taizong of Tang's anger. He had the trusted officials from Crown Prince Chengqian's Eastern Palace arrested and interrogated one by one. All those who participated in Chengqian's theft were beheaded on the spot without any leniency, with over 30 people implicated. Chengqian himself was also placed under house arrest, forbidden from entering or leaving the palace at will.

  This incident shocked the entire court, but family scandals were not to be made public. Li Shimin did not reveal a single message to his ministers, so that all of them were frightened and bewildered, without knowing what was happening. Only a few of Li Shimin's most trusted confidants had some inkling of what was going on.

  Du He was chatting with Du Ru Hui at home, and heard him vaguely reveal that this time Li Shimin really moved Yi Zhen's mind. If it weren't for Empress Zhangsun holding on, the position of Crown Prince would be difficult to preserve for Li Chengqian.

  Although Li Chengqian's mistakes were not great, it is difficult to say that the dignified crown prince is a thief who likes to steal and has repeatedly failed to reform. If this gets out, where will the face of the Tang Dynasty be?

  Du He received the news, his heart couldn't help but beat with excitement. Li Shimin had indeed taken a ruthless approach this time, but it was also good that those people who committed evil and harmed the common people were dead and gone.

  The imperial court had a long holiday before the arrival of the new year. Centered on New Year's Day, three days off before New Year's Day and three days off after New Year's Day, plus New Year's Day itself, making it a total of seven days off, a golden week.

  It's rare for family members to gather together. Taking advantage of this holiday to get together and chat is also a joyous occasion.

  It was just the first day, and Li Shimin had Du Ruhui called over, as if there were important matters to discuss.

  Du Ru Hui didn't say another word and quickly set off. No choice, a wise minister is always busy, wherever he's summoned to go.

  Du He felt bored and decided to go out for a walk.

  The sky is snowing lightly, the cold wind is biting, and there are few pedestrians on the street.

  It was a coincidence that they ran into Princess Yaochi of the Xiongnu country, who was now impatiently wandering around on the main street. Beside her was a young man in his early twenties, also dressed in strange attire, and from the braids on his head, it could be seen that he was a Tubo person.

  Tibetans come to the Great Tang?

  Du He's eyebrows furrowed, having just won a great war, the Tang Dynasty had decisively defeated the 100,000-strong Tibetan army, and their hatred value should be maxed out by now. What did they come to the Tang for if not to make amends?

  As she thought so, Princess Yaochi had already discovered his presence, and her face lit up with joy. She called out from afar: "Young Master Du!"

  She ran up to Du He and asked with a smile: "Where are you going?"

  "Let's go for a walk!" Du He came back to his senses and responded casually, but his eyes remained fixed on the Tubo person with a braided hairstyle standing beside him.

  "That's perfect!" Princess Yaochi exclaimed with a delighted face, clapping her hands. "I once promised you that if we went to Xiangyang I would take you on a tour of the Yaochi Pool. Now that I'm in Chang'an, you have no reason to refuse taking me on a tour of Chang'an, do you?"

  The Tibetan youth listened to Princess Yaochi's intimate words and revealed a hint of sharpness in his eyes, saying loudly: "Sister Yaochi, who is he?"

  The Princess of Yaochi smiled proudly: "He is Du He, how about it? Song Zan Si Ruo, isn't he much better than you?"

  Du He Xin said: "Song Zan Si Ruo and Song Zan Gan Bu have similar names, I don't know what their relationship is."

  Song Zan's face flashed a hint of anger, but it immediately disappeared and he smiled: "So it was General Du, I've long admired your great name. My brother has always praised you highly!"

  "Don't be hypocritical, it's disgusting to watch. I'm going to Chang'an with Master Du, you do what you want, and don't call my sister, who is your sister!" Princess Yaochi pulled Du He and ran away.

  Song Zan's face turned red and white with anger, standing still in his original position.

  Arriving at a pavilion by the road, Princess Yaochi spat out a mouthful of white mist and said: "Finally got rid of him! This scoundrel is really annoying!"

  Du He leaned against the pillar of the pavilion and smiled: "Is that guy Songzan Gambo's brother?"

  "He's just his brother, a reckless and violent ruffian! If I weren't afraid of being beaten by him, I would have whipped him severely with my whip!" Princess Yaochi's face was filled with anger, it was clear that she had no good feelings towards the Tibetan prince.

  The princess seems to dislike Tubo very much!

  "It's not just dislike, but also indignation!" Princess Yaochi said with a hateful tone: "In the early days of Tubo's rise, they showed great kindness to my father. My father appreciated Songtsen Gampo's talent and married my sister to him, and even helped him quell internal unrest. But he turned out to be ungrateful, after gaining power, he married Princess Chizun of Nubra, leaving my sister aside, ignoring her like a widow. And that Niexiong Yangdong often disguised himself as a bandit to intercept our trade caravans with the Tang Dynasty, trying to destroy our country's livelihood, how despicable! Songtsen Gampo is no better, taking advantage of Tubo's strength, wanting to marry me, without considering his own moral character. Humph! My father said that if it weren't for the Tang Dynasty's great defeat of Tubo this time, our country would eventually be destroyed by Tubo. Therefore, letting me come with the ambassador to pay respects is precisely intended to establish a relationship with the Tang Dynasty, in order to avoid being controlled by Tubo."

  Du He sank into thought for a moment, the relationship between Xiangxiong and Tubo was even more vicious than he had imagined. This was a great opportunity to take advantage of, so he smiled and said: "The princess told me all this to tell me that Datang and you Xiangxiong have a common enemy, let me say a few good words in front of the emperor to promote friendship between Datang and Xiangxiong!"

  The Princess of Yaochi smiled awkwardly and said, "You've figured it out. I learned from Chang Le that you often chat with the Emperor of Tian Chao, and your words carry some weight in front of him, which is why I had this idea."

  She didn't hide anything but acknowledged everything frankly, which also made Du He feel a great sense of relief.

  "Agreed!" He knew that Li Shimin had originally planned to form an alliance with Xiang Xiong, otherwise he wouldn't have treated the country so generously, and immediately agreed.

  "It's not like we're going to Luoyang, I'll take you to Furong Garden, the scenery there is no less than the imperial palace gardens!" Du Hei had nothing better to do and remembered Princess Yaochi's excuse for getting rid of Song Zan'er, so he tagged along with her on a trip.

  The Princess of Yaochi also showed a happy smile and nodded in agreement.

  After frolicking for half a day, when I returned to the Cai Guo Gong Fu, night had already fallen.

  Du Ru Hui also returned, and Du He asked about the matter of Tubo.

  Du Ruhui nodded in agreement: "My son is right! This Songtsen Gampo is indeed not simple! He can pick up and put down, and his writing skills are also outstanding. He personally wrote a letter of apology, expressing remorse and hoping to be friends with the Tang Dynasty."

  "You won't agree now!" Du He's face was strange!

  Du Ruhui said, "What if I don't agree? The focus of our great Tang Dynasty has always been on the Western Regions, opening up the Silk Road to reduce the burden on the people and strengthen the national power. Tubo is poor and barren, it's not a place where our great Tang Dynasty focuses on. In the future, we only need to support the country of Xiangxiong to prevent Tubo from growing bigger, and there will be no worries about the southern affairs."

  Du He had an urge to jump into the river: "How can this be so corrupt, this defeated country demands peace and no land or indemnity, what is this! No way, Dad, you wait, I'll go into the palace now and see Uncle Li!"