Chapter seven hundred and seventy-ninth offering prisoners Zetianmen
On the first day of the seventh month in the first year of Tiaolu, Prince Li Xian went to court and asked Shangguan Wan'er to be granted the title of Concubine Xian. However, the request was later denied. Because Shangguan Wan'er was the concubine of the guilty minister, Li Xian's request was rejected. The crown prince insisted on the request.
When the courtiers agreed, Emperor Gaozong heard about it and thought that although Shangguan Yi had faults, he still had merit, so he specially conferred the title of Zhaoyi on Shangguan Wan'er, and the matter was concluded.
On August 17, the first year of Tiaolu, Pei Xingjian planned to defeat the Turkic grain raiding team, killed more than 3,000 elite Turkic cavalry, and captured 4,000 alive. As a result, the grain road leading to the Shanyu Duhu Mansion was open, and the army arrived
, the siege of the Duhufu was lifted, and the leader of the Turkic rebels, Ashderwen Fu, led his troops to flee to Montenegro (today's Xiaohan Mountain in Bahrain Right Banner), where he gathered the rebels from all departments in an attempt to start a decisive battle with the Tang army. Pei Xingjian stood still and allowed Ashderwen to do nothing.
Fu Da gathered various ministries, and by the beginning of December of the first year of Tiaolu, the total strength of the Turkic rebels gathered in the Black Mountain area exceeded 580,000.
On the ninth day of the first lunar month of the second year of Tiaolu, the emperor issued an edict to change the Yuan Dynasty, which was the first year of Yonglong. He also ordered Pei Xingjian to march into Montenegro and start a decisive battle with the Turkic rebels in order to complete his achievements in one battle. On the seventh day of March, the imperial edict arrived at the frontline camp, and Pei Xingjian led it.
The order sent out troops, and the 380,000-strong army marched towards Montenegro in three directions. The troops moved very fast, traveling more than a hundred miles a day. When the Turkic rebels heard that the Tang army had suddenly arrived, they hurriedly fought. After losing three battles in a row, they had to return to Montenegro in an attempt to defend it.
, but unexpectedly, Pei Xingjian had already sent the fierce general Cheng Wuting and led a surprise force to attack the old Turkic camp. Under the attack of successive enemies, the Turkic army was defeated. With no way to survive, internal strife broke out. Some generals killed the pseudo-Khan and surrendered.
Ashide, who proclaimed himself the commander-in-chief of the Turkic army, was captured alive by the Tang army. The rebel generals Ashide, Wenfu and Ashinavonian led the remaining troops to flee towards Langshan.
On the sixth day of April in the first year of Yonglong, the good news came back to Luoyang. Gaozong was overjoyed and thought that the Turks had been calmed down, so he wanted to teach the army. Prince Li Xian thought it was impossible and admonished him: He must do his best to eliminate the evil to prevent it from resurrecting. Gaozong believed this, so he
Pei Xingjian ordered Pei Xingjian to take advantage of the victory to pursue the Turks without giving the Turks any chance to breathe. Pei Xingjian divided his troops into five groups and swept across the grassland and desert. Cheng Wuting, He Jiaqi, Li Duozuo and other new generals used their own lives. The Tang army stretched across thousands of miles.
Lien Chan, Lianjie, Ashdewen Fu, Ashina Funian and other Turkic rebel generals were all wiped out. By July of the first year of Yonglong, there were no more organized Turkic rebels on the prairie. This was the end of a massive war.
The Tang army was completely victorious!
On the first day of August in the first year of Yonglong, the victory report arrived in Luoyang. Emperor Gaozong was overjoyed when he heard about it. He issued an edict to reward the three armies, and appointed Xue Rengui as the new governor of the Shanyu Protectorate, and transferred Qibi Heli, the general of the Youyu Lin Army, as the governor of Anxi.
Governor; ordered Cheng Wuting and Li Duozuo to each lead five thousand border troops back to Luoyang to make up for the shortage of the Yulin Army. The two generals were assigned as generals of the left and right Yulin Army. Pei Xingjian was granted the title of Duke of Zhenguo, and the remaining Tang troops
Rewards for generals in different ministries vary.
On the first day of the tenth month of the first year of Yonglong, the army returned to Luoyang in triumph. Emperor Gaozong issued an edict to sacrifice prisoners at Tianmen on the ninth day of the lunar month. He summoned the envoys of various vassal states in Luoyang to celebrate together and granted amnesty to the whole world. The power of the Tang Dynasty was at its peak.
Zetianmen, also known as Yingtianmen, is the main entrance of Luoyang Palace. It consists of a gate tower, a tower, a tower and the corridors between them. It is large in scale and magnificent. It is a symbol and symbol of imperial power.
In Luoyang, important political activities such as Si'an pardon, Guan (Youfu), Yuan Dynasty, founding of the country, surrender of prisoners, and reception of foreign envoys and dignitaries were all held at this gate. This prisoner sacrifice was no exception. Since the imperial edict was issued,
Wu Chengsi, the newly appointed minister of the Ministry of Rites, led the officials of the Ministry of Rites to set up a tent to watch the ceremony, put up lanterns and colorful decorations, and decorated the huge Zetian Gate like a cluster of flowers.
The ninth day of October is the time when autumn is crisp. Even though noon is approaching, the sun is still not bright and the sky is cloudless. It is a good time to hold a large-scale outdoor ceremony. Since early in the morning, countless people have gathered outside Zetianmen.
Not only the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Luoyang City, but also the people from surrounding counties also came here after hearing the news, all wanting to witness this spectacular ceremony that has been rare in more than ten years.
In the Zichen Palace, Gaozong, who was dressed neatly in court uniform, sat at the top, chatting with Pei Xingjian and other ministers and assistants in high spirits. From time to time, he would burst into hearty laughter. His expression was extremely happy, and his face was flushed, which could not be seen at all.
There was no trace of illness, and the way he scolded Fang Qiu, he looked like the leader of the world.
"Your Majesty, the time has come."
While the officials were laughing and talking, Cheng Denggao hurried in from outside the palace, rushed to the imperial chariot, and loudly reported.
"Okay! Let's go to Zetianmen!"
Emperor Gaozong got up early in the morning and was waiting for this ceremony. When he heard that the time had arrived, he didn't want to delay for a minute. He stood up and waved his hand proudly.
The order was given.
"promise!"
As soon as Gaozong opened his mouth, all the eunuchs accompanying him did not dare to slack off at all. They each agreed loudly and served Gaozong out of the palace. They got into the soft chariot and put on the attire of an emperor.
He was about to rush to Zetianmen.
The prisoner presentation ceremony is a grand ceremony of the country. Anyone who can be placed on the city gate is enough to leave his name in history. All the ministers and ministers are naturally excited about the ceremony, but Li Xian is not happy. It is not that he is jealous of Pei Xingjian's achievements, but
I'm worried about Gaozong's physical condition - anything abnormal is a monster. Gaozong's mental state today is really good. He doesn't look like a patient at all under the pace of a dragon and a tiger. This is obviously not normal. It's just Gaozong.
Zong was in high spirits, and Li Xian couldn't say much. He could only secretly ask Sun Qiyan, the doctor of Taiyuan Hospital, to send more people to prepare for emergency response at any time.
"The Holy One has arrived!"
When a doctor from the Ministry of Rites who was in charge of singing at the Zetian Gate saw the emperor's arrival, he did not dare to delay at all. He took full advantage of his energy and roared loudly. In an instant, the people who were originally noisy and playful under the city gate
The subjects immediately became quiet.
"I bow to Your Majesty, and to the Queen of Heaven!"
Amidst the roar of drum music, Gaozong and Empress Wu walked side by side up the city gate tower. When they arrived in front of the city plate, all the subjects who had been prepared fell to their knees on the ground and started shouting in unison.
"Everyone loves you!"
Looking down at the subjects kneeling on the ground, Gaozong's already good mood immediately rose a little higher. His face was so red and tender that it almost bled. After watching excitedly for a while, he finally felt weak.
As soon as he raised his hand and shouted, an official from the Ministry of Rites repeated the words loudly.
"I thank the Lord for your kindness. Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"
As soon as Emperor Gaozong shouted, hundreds of thousands of his subjects below immediately shouted "Long Live Long Live". The sound was so loud that it could almost poke a big hole in the capital of heaven.
"Okay, okay, let's get started."
Listening to the praises like a roaring mountain and a tsunami, Gaozong's already red face instantly turned a little redder. He was already a little purple, and his heart was full of pride. It was not easy. He had been in power for more than thirty years.
In the past few years, countless surrounding countries have been wiped out. Looking around, there is no rival. Since ancient times, there has never been an emperor who has achieved such a great achievement. Even Taizong, who is known as the "Eternal Emperor", has not been able to achieve this goal.
Gaozong had reason to be proud of this step.
"The prisoner presentation ceremony begins, let's play music!"
As soon as Emperor Gaozong opened his mouth, the official of the Ministry of Rites who was waiting at the side naturally did not dare to neglect him. He took full advantage of his energy. With a loud shout, the drums immediately started to play, and groups of neatly dressed cavalrymen of the Tang Dynasty began to line up.
Admission.
"Okay, this is my cavalry, okay, okay!"
The cavalry of the Tang Dynasty entering the stage were the Liaodong cavalry under Cheng Wuting. They were all tall and burly, and the horses under their crotches were even more extraordinary. The two thousand white horses specially selected for the military parade entered the field like this, seriously.
The momentum was magnificent. When Gaozong saw it, he was very excited. He clapped his hands and cheered loudly. When he applauded like this, all the officials below him naturally cheered too. The whole scene suddenly seemed to be boiling. The atmosphere was boiling.
It can be said that the commotion has reached its peak.
No, something is going to happen!
Everyone was cheering, but Li Xian did not pay attention to the cavalry below, but was always paying attention to the changes in Gaozong's expression. At this moment, Gaozong's mouth was already full of salivation,
But he didn't know it, and his heart sank involuntarily. He knew that Gaozong's health was in some condition, and he just thought about telling the imperial doctor, but when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them back, not for anything else, but because of him.
I don't know if I should do this.
When it comes to the relationship between father and son, Li Xian naturally can't sit back and ignore his old father's death. But when it comes to the country, Li Xian doesn't want to see Gaozong relying on his position anymore. If nothing else, Gaozong is now
The suspicion of Li Xian is already heavy. If Empress Wu takes advantage of this, Li Xian's situation will definitely become more critical. Even if he can win in the end, the vitality of Datang will be seriously damaged.
This was naturally not a situation that Li Xian was happy to see. Because of this, Li Xian hesitated, not knowing how to make a decision for a while.
"Long live my emperor, long live, long live..."
As soon as the cavalry of the Tang Dynasty passed by, the infantry escorted the captured Turkic nobles to the entrance. Seeing this, the hundreds of thousands of subjects who were already in high spirits all shouted "Long Live" in unison. The sound was like thunder, and the atmosphere was already tense.
It has reached a boiling state.
"Present prisoners!"
As soon as the infantry troops entered the square in front of the palace gate, the official of the Ministry of Rites shouted loudly, and his voice was full of passion and pride. This is not surprising. This is the most exciting moment in the entire ceremony, and it is also the most exciting moment in the entire ceremony.
A time to promote national prestige.
"Okay, I..."
As soon as the official of the Ministry of Rites finished speaking, the whole place became excited again. Emperor Gaozong was also so excited that he couldn't control himself. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to express some opinions on this matter. However, before he could finish his words, his body suddenly tilted and he was speechless.
He fell to the ground unconsciously.
"His Majesty!"
"Quick, protect Your Majesty!"
"Imperial Physician, tell the Imperial Physician quickly!"
…
When Emperor Gaozong fell like this, there was chaos in the entire city gate tower. Empress Wu lost color and all the officials exclaimed. Only Li Xian was at a loss. He didn't know whether he should be happy or sad...