Chapter 416: New Year's Gift

The Goguryeo envoy who was driven out of Chang'an by Li Shimin returned to Goguryeo and reported the matter to Yuangai Suwen, who heard this, although he was angry, but there was nothing he could do, so he had to send another delegation to the Tang Dynasty. Before leaving, he also specially instructed the mission to be respectful and humble, and not to let Datang find fault again.

This was the beginning of December when the mission arrived in Chang'an. In the midst of the fluttering snowflakes, these envoys remembered that they didn't seem to have brought any special New Year's gifts. As a result, the members of these missions were busy arranging New Year's gifts.

Not only the Goguryeo mission, but with the arrival of the New Year, this gift purchase has become a trend. And among these trends, the most powerful ones are Li Chengqian and Li Tai. The two seem to want to fight high and low on this New Year's gift.

Although Li Shimin appointed Wei Zheng as the crown prince, Wei Zheng was not concerned about this position. Within a few days, he pushed this position because of his physical condition.

Of course, his body was really out of order. Originally, Wei Zheng's body was not very good, and it was even more difficult in winter. During the entire winter month, the court lasted less than ten days, and the rest were sick in bed.

Every time he saw the empty space left at the court meeting, Li Shimin couldn't help frowning slightly.

The current situation between the DPRK and China can be seen by a discerning person. With the death of Empress Changsun, the prince who was originally pressed by it was ready to move, such as Li Tai, who said to people in private that now the prince is unvirtuous, if the prince inherits the throne, it is not good news for the Tang Dynasty. His desire to covet the crown prince's position has been revealed.

And Li You, who was far away in Qizhou, began to disobey Quan Wanji's orders again. It is often Quan Wanji who waits in the Qi Palace's mansion for half a day, but there is not a single figure.

The other person who was about to make a move was indeed Li Yuanchang, the king of Han. This prince, who is similar in age to the crown prince, has a very good relationship with the prince, and can almost be called brothers. Uh, of course, actually they're uncles and nephews. Li Yuanchang is extremely flattering to Li Chengqian, and Li Yuanchang will always find a way to get him whatever Li Chengqian wants. Li Yuanchang also instigated Li Chengqian to do some bad things. For example, he later instigated Li Chengqian to rebel. It can be said that this Li Chengqian is so immoral now, and it has a great relationship with this Li Yuanchang.

"Chu Shi, tell me about this New Year, what do you want to send to your father?" Since that time, Li Chengqian sent Su Gan Chengji to assassinate Yu Zhining, and Su Gan Chengji felt Yu Zhining's integrity and did not start, Li Chengqian began to gradually alienate Su Gan Chengji. And Helan Chushi seized the opportunity and became a close minister by Li Chengqian's side.

Helan Chushi is much more clever than Su Gan Chengji, and he always meticulously handles Li Chengqian's requirements, even if it is doing something that hurts nature and reason, and violates the law. This made Li Chengqian appreciate it very much.

Now that he heard Li Chengqian ask, Helan Chushi hurriedly said: "Your Highness, if the villain thinks that the things given to Your Majesty are too valuable, I am afraid that Your Majesty will say that Your Highness is extravagant." Besides, where will Your Majesty lack those precious things? If it is too bland, I am afraid that others will say that His Royal Highness has no filial piety. Therefore, the villain thinks that this gift should echo His Majesty's wishes, and it is best to win the praise of hundreds of officials. If you can't have both, then you should be the one who agrees with Your Majesty's wishes! ”

When Li Chengqian heard this, he couldn't help but say: "Chu Shi's words are very reasonable!" But what is it that echoes the emperor's wishes? ”

Helan Chushi was suddenly stumped: "This, this, the villain doesn't know either!" ”

Li Chengqian smiled indifferently: "Hmph, even I, as a son, am still a little uncertain about my father's thoughts, let alone you, an outsider!" ”

Helan Chushi heard this, but he didn't know what to say.

Li Chengqian said again: "I don't know what congratulatory gifts the fourth child is going to send to my father!" Not to mention anything else, as long as the things sent by Gu can overpower Li Tai's! ”

"Why don't the villain send someone to investigate?" Helan Chushi asked tentatively.

"Forget it! Li Tai has always been cautious, and there are a bunch of old foxes helping him, if he wants to find out, it must be very difficult! Speaking of this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but show a hint of loss, "But on the lonely side, those old men persuade me this and that all day long, which is tireless!" ”

Helan Chushi opened his mouth, ready to say something like those old men are also good for His Highness, but he couldn't open his mouth, and finally kept silent.

"Well, it's far away! Let's continue to talk about this congratulatory gift! Li Chengqian said.

And in the palace of the King of Wei, Li Tai was also thinking about the New Year's gift. However, he can negotiate with many more people than Li Chengqian.

"Hehe, I heard that my father intends to marry the seventeenth sister to his beloved! Oh, beloved, maybe you'll be my brother-in-law in a few days! Ha ha! Li Tai looked at the bereaved love and said with a smile in his mouth.

The tall and mighty Fang Yiai showed a wry smile on his face, shook his head, and finally remained silent.

Seeing this, the rest of the people couldn't help but smile slightly. This Princess Gaoyang learned some boxing and knife techniques from somewhere, but it was nothing. But when Li Shimin said that he wanted to marry her to Fang Yiai, Princess Gaoyang immediately took action and beat Fang Yiai down on the court. Then he threatened to say that this widow looked at a big man, but his martial arts were not very good, how could he be worthy of him!

Seeing Princess Gaoyang like this, Li Shimin's face was so angry, and Fang Xuanling's face was also blue, obviously angry.

Princess Gaoyang was ordered to be grounded for one year by Li Shimin. But this marriage was strongly approved by Li Shimin

Now that Li Tai is talking about this, Fang Yiai's face is of course full of bitterness.

When the rest of the people saw that Fang was in love like this, they immediately stopped saying this, but changed the topic.

Nachai Lingwu said: "Now it's the New Year, according to the practice of previous years, His Royal Highness has to give His Majesty a generous gift!" ”

When Li Tai heard this, he laughed: "I don't bother you about this matter, this king has already thought of a way to deal with it." When the time comes, I will not disappoint my father and the emperor! ”

Several people around Li Tai hurriedly asked, but Li Tai pretended to be mysterious and stopped talking.

In the blink of an eye, the New Year has arrived.

Those Goguryeo envoys spent a lot of money in Chang'an City and bought some nice gifts to give to Li Shimin during the New Year's banquet.

The New Year's banquet is a practice formed since Li Shimin's accession to the throne, and the people who can enter this banquet are all important ministers.

However, in previous years' banquets, there were eldest grandsons and queens who entertained those women. And this year, Empress Changsun died of illness, and only Li Shimin gave a banquet to the important ministers of the court. As for the wives, they don't have the opportunity to participate in the royal feast. And Li Shimin did not assign any concubine to hold the banquet.

On top of the banquet, there was a song and dance at first. Everyone watched the singing and dancing while eating and drinking.

After a song, it's time to offer gifts. The ministers of the DPRK and the Central Committee may present a pair of ink treasures, such as Chu Suiliang, Liu Xun and others, who can be called today's calligraphy masters. There are also those who offer paintings, such as Yan Liben, the waiter of the Ministry of Works, who offered a pair of danqing, and I don't know how many greedy eyes they attracted.

Zhang Yunwen offered it, but it was an ancient sword. It is said to be a burial item dug out of the ancient tomb by a Jinjin lieutenant in Luoyang, and it is said that it is still a pre-Qin thing. The top is patina. However, after careful washing and grinding, this ancient sword was restored to its original state again. I saw a black checkered pattern on it, which was extremely beautiful. The blade of the sword is sharp and the hilt is thick.

Taking advantage of the excitement, Zhang Yunwen danced a set of swordsmanship on the spot. This murderous sword technique made everyone's faces change. However, Li Shimin said with a smile: "This swordsmanship is wide open, and thousands of troops are easy to use, and it should be used to kill the enemy, not to do sword dance!" ”

When Zhang Yunwen heard this, he smiled, put away his sword, and presented his hands in front of Li Shimin.

Li Shimin raised the ancient sword and looked at it for a moment, and praised it: "Good sword!" What a sword! ”

The ministers in the back also sent various congratulatory gifts one after another.

Finally, it was the turn of the crown prince Li Chengqian. All eyes were on him.

What Li Chengqian sent was a gorgeously packaged wooden box. The wooden box is three inches square, and I don't know what it contains.

"Erchen found a profound Taoist in Zhongnan Mountain. Although he is over 80 years old, he can be seen as if he is in his 60s, and his body is strong and his steps are like flying. Erchen asked carefully, and learned that this Taoist chief was an alchemist, and there were countless alchemies. And he was able to maintain that appearance because he had been taking a pill called 'Longevity Pill' all year round. These pills are made from a variety of natural and earthly treasures, and if you take them regularly, you can prolong your life! Li Chengqian explained.

Hearing Li Chengqian's explanation, Li Shimin's eyes couldn't help but show a trace of longing. When I opened the box, I saw a palm-sized white jade bottle inside, presumably this elixir was contained in this white jade bottle.

Li Shimin pondered for a while, and finally put the white jade bottle back in the box.

"Back then, Emperor Qin and Han Wu, in order to obtain Jindan, it can be said that he worked hard! Shall I follow the example of his deeds of labor and money? But Cheng Qian, I already know your intentions! ”

Li Chengqian saluted and retreated into the crowd.

Then, according to the ranking of those princes, one by one.

When they arrived at Li Tai, the king of Wei, everyone looked at Li Tai in unison.

I saw this Li Tai walking into the field with empty hands, and said to Li Shimin: "Father, the gift prepared by the son has not yet been prepared, and I am afraid it will take ten months to prepare for it!" ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked.