NOVEL NEXT Chapter 254:
Chapter 254
Begging Su Li to accept the land grant!
For Li Er, this was the most remarkable and unusual historical event…
In the annals of history, did any emperor ever find themselves in such an irritating situation, imploring someone else to accept a land grant?
Li Er was feeling extremely anxious at this moment!
He was worried that Su Li might decline…
While the land grant wouldn't significantly impact Su Li, it would allow him to implement his ideas within his territory.
Instead of rejecting the land grant and letting Change continue to create tension between him and his parents, he might as well comply with his humble father-in-law's request!
Moreover, accepting the land grant would benefit Su Li without causing harm.
Su Li had already made his decision…Upon obtaining Su Li's approval, Li Er couldn't help but exclaim, “Excellent, very excellent!”
“I will announce it in court in a few days!”
From Li Er's appearance, he can't wait to announce the land grant to Su Li!
“Well then, I won't keep troubling you,” Li Er said as he prepared to take the initiative to leave, looking like he was afraid Su Li might change his mind.
At this moment, Change said, “Father, it's been a while since you had dinner at the princess's residence!”
Implicitly, she was suggesting that Li Er stay for dinner. However, times had changed, and Li Er was no longer the person who shamelessly freeloaded at the princess's residence as he did initially.
Li Er was stunned for a moment, but after gazing at Changle for a while, he sighed and said, “Very well.”
Li Er also instructed an attendant nearby to inform everyone that he would be dining at the princess's residence that day. However, once there was a rift, it was like a nail hammered into a wooden board. Even if you pulled out the nail, the hole would remain.
Li Er was noticeably more reserved during the dinner despite the delectable food.
After the meal, Li Er had departed. In the room, Changle assisted Su Li in changing his clothes and asked, “Why did Father bestow such an extensive piece of land in the northwest upon you?”
Changle was well aware that her father was exceedingly cautious of her husband, although her husband had never posed a threat to Li Er.
Wouldn't granting land make him even more apprehensive?
Su Li smiled subtly and said, “Your Majesty knows he can't control me. Much of what he said today was sincere. Your Majesty is wary of me. Even if the land is granted, Your Majesty does not want our family to remain in the capital.”
Upon hearing Su Li's explanation, Changle finally comprehended and felt somewhat disheartened.
Suddenly…
“Husband...” Changed a playful complaint.
Su Li picked Changle up and carried her to the bed.
What would happen next was quite evident in Changle's mind…
Su Li whispered gently in Changle's ear, “As long as His Majesty doesn't harm you all, the day of turning against each other will never come.”
Changle nodded and responded, “Thank you, my husband.”
Afterward, Changle softly extinguished the candlelight in the room…
A few days later, a court assembly convened, gathering all the ministers near the capital. The courtiers were intrigued for a particular reason: today's court meeting promised something extraordinary.
Even Prince Yongle, who rarely attended court gatherings, appeared alongside Su Li. The assembled courtiers felt a unique atmosphere and engaged in hushed conversations, filling the court with whispers and murmurs.
During this court meeting, Wei Zheng also felt something momentous was on the horizon. Many other courtiers shared this understanding. However, Prime Minister Zhangsun Wuji remained composed and appeared to know what was to come.
The bustling and unsettled ambiance in the court persisted until Li Er, attired in imperial robes, entered, prompting an abrupt silence. Li Er glanced at Su Li within the court and then shifted his gaze to Zhangsun Wuji, instructing him to read the imperial edict.
Zhangsun Wuji stepped forward, opened the prepared edict, cleared his throat, and commenced reading it aloud. “Prince Yongle, three victories in the northwest, the discovery of new grain...”
The proclamation began by recounting the achievements of Prince Yongle. One achievement after another was listed, gradually revealing the situation. This was not merely a reward for Prince Yongle.
Your Majesty seemed concerned about the recent assassination attempt on Su Li by Crown Prince Li Chengqian, fearing that Prince Yongle might exploit the situation to cause turmoil. This preemptive reward might be an attempt to dissuade Prince Yongle from challenging the throne.
In the Tang Dynasty, few ministers who had achieved such high positions were naive, and most were aware that Su Li's influence in the Great Tang had far surpassed that of Your Majesty Li Er.
As the courtiers watched attentively while Zhangsun Wuji read the proclamation, there was a sudden twist in the narrative.
“Prince Yongle is elevated to the rank of 'One Word Co-Regent King' and granted control over Kunlun, the former Tibetan territories, and even the Three Passes. These lands shall be designated as the domain of the 'One Word Co-Regent King.' “He shall have authority within this domain over military deployments, appoint officials, enact laws, and exercise governance…”
Initially, the courtiers did not react significantly to the elevation to “One Word Co-Regent King” since Su Li had already been granted the title of a king. It was a mere change of title. However, this new land grant left the ministers in shock.
A wave of commotion swept through the court, and all eyes turned towards Prince Yongle, Su Li, Your Majesty Li Er, and even Zhangsun Wuji, who was reading the proclamation.
Did this imply that Prince Yongle's achievements did not merit a land grant? That notion was inconceivable!
Su Li's achievements, including his victories in the northwest and the discovery of new resources, were more than sufficient to justify such a reward.
Yet, the scale of this land grant appeared unduly extravagant! Throughout history, emperors have bestowed sizable territories upon deserving officers, but even the most generous land grants did not exceed the size of a single county. Normally, land grants were symbolic gestures of the emperor's favor.
But where was Li Er granting land to Prince Yongle? Just the former Tibetan territories alone equaled the expanse of an entire country, not to mention Kunlun and the Three Passes. This grant implied that the entire northwest of the Great Tang was entrusted to Su Li.
For those who had studied the geographical maps of the Great Tang, these regions were larger than the Central Plains. Bestowing half of the Great Tang to Su Li in one fell swoop was something the courtiers found impossible to accept. This wasn’t merely a land grant. It was effectively a division of the Great Tang.
Furthermore, delegating military and political authority over the northwest to Su Li meant that he could operate autonomously within his domain without requiring Li Er’s approval. Su Li would possess full control, and the land would only be nominally part of the Great Tang. In reality, it would fall completely under Su Li’s jurisdiction.
The courtiers were left in disbelief and couldn’t help but wonder, “Li Er! Are you genuinely pursuing this course of action?”