si-mexico Chapter 684 Five Flags
Chapter 684 Five Flags
The scorching sun hung high in the sky of the Tang Dynasty, baking the streets of Xianyang city scorching hot. However, when Li Chengqian stepped into the site of Zhaoling, it was as if he had stepped into a cool and refreshing place forgotten by time.
He was dressed in casual clothes and his steps were slightly heavy. Zhang Xianhuai followed behind him. The sound of his footsteps was particularly clear in this solemn place.
Li Chengqian's eyes slowly swept across the stone carvings of the Six Horses in front of Zhaoling Mausoleum. Each of these lifelike horses carried a passionate past.
Saluzi has a strong and agile figure, as if one can still see it carrying Emperor Taizong into battle, with an arrow in its chest but still moving forward tenaciously. Its hairy body and muscles are exposed, as if telling the story of those thrilling battles.
Li Chengqian's hand gently stroked the cold stone carvings, his eyes full of emotion. After a long time, with the support of Zhang Xianhuai, he found a clean and flat ground and slowly sat down.
The breeze blows gently, carrying the unique fragrance of grass and trees in the mountains and forests.
Li Chengqian looked into the distance and said slowly, "Xianhuai, go take a walk around. Let me be alone for a while."
Zhang Xianhuai frowned slightly when he heard this, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes, but he still nodded respectfully, "Then your Majesty, please be careful. I will go and inspect the surroundings."
After saying this, he turned and left, walking lightly, for fear of disturbing the tranquility.
After Zhang Xianhuai's figure disappeared in the mountains and forests, Li Chengqian leaned his back against the thick tree trunk, looked up at the scattered sunlight shining through the branches and leaves, his thoughts running wild.
He casually picked up a piece of dogtail grass from his feet, put it in his mouth and bit it gently. The green taste of the grass spread on the tip of his tongue, making his heart calmer.
Beneath this cemetery are buried his father, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, who founded the prosperous Zhenguan era, and his gentle and virtuous mother, Empress Zhangsun.
There was also Fang Xuanling, the prime minister who toiled tirelessly for state affairs and devoted his energy to planning for the Tang Dynasty; Wei Zheng, the upright minister who dared to speak directly to Emperor Taizong in court; and Li Jing, the famous general who fought in many battles, expanding the territory of the Tang Dynasty and achieving remarkable military exploits.
There were also many old ministers who had worked hard with him for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty during the Zhenguan period.
The scenes of the past years came flooding back to his mind like a tide. They used to argue fiercely in the court and plan state affairs in the palace, but now they have all turned into a handful of yellow earth and are sleeping here forever.
Li Chengqian's eyes were slightly red, and he whispered softly in his heart: "I miss you guys so much."
Time is merciless. Li Chengqian clearly feels that his energy is not as good as before, and his physical weakness makes him more worried about the future.
Ever since he proposed the idea of "the world belongs to the public" in the court, it was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing thousands of waves. However, these waves were almost all voices of opposition.
Even if the old ministers who are now lying under the Zhaoling Mausoleum were still alive, Li Chengqian would not be sure whether they could understand and support him.
He couldn't help but think of the teachings of his father, Li Shimin, and the rule of succession to the throne that had been passed down for thousands of years in this Chinese land - the son inherits the throne after the father's death.
Li Chengqian had only one son, and he knew this child very well. He thought that Li You might be able to rely on the royal family's teachings to become a qualified emperor like his grandfather Li Shimin, who was majestic and decisive in the court and governed the country in an orderly manner.
But Li You had been pampered and arrogant since childhood, and his style of doing things was completely different from the ideas pursued by Li Chengqian.
Li You adopted a heroic view of history. His attention was always focused on the dignitaries and important officials in the court, but he seldom cared about the lives of the common people.
In Li You's heart, the emperor's glory and achievements seemed far more important than the suffering of the people.
Li Chengqian sighed inwardly, "Father, you have raised a qualified emperor. Under You'er's rule, the Tang Dynasty may not decline on the surface and will still maintain the appearance of prosperity. However, the path he has taken will ultimately bring suffering to the people of the world."
He stood up and muttered to himself in the direction of Emperor Taizong's tomb, "You'er's starting point is too high, so high that he is fearless, so high that he can't understand the hardships of the lives of the lower classes."
"He doesn't care about the thoughts of ordinary people who struggle to make a living and can't even afford a full meal."
"If this continues, the Tang Empire may appear to be peaceful and unchanged, but in reality, undercurrents have long been surging, and the foundations have been shaken."
Li Chengqian clenched his fists, his eyes filled with determination. "What I want is a people's perspective on history. The writing of history shouldn't just focus on the heroic achievements of heroes, but should also remember the efforts and contributions of the millions of ordinary people in the Tang Dynasty."
"They are the cornerstones that support the prosperity of our Tang Dynasty."
"So, Father, I am here to tell you something. I have made my decision."
Li Chengqian took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry for your request."
"You're pregnant!" he shouted, raising his voice.
"Here!" Zhang Xianhuai's anxious response came from not far away, and then he was seen running out of the forest in a hurry, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead, obviously he had jogged all the way back.
"Xianhuai, please bring the things I asked you to bring." Li Chengqian looked at Zhang Xianhuai.
Zhang Xianhuai nodded, then turned and trotted off. Not long after, he hurried over, carrying a long, large package in both hands. Panting, he placed the package in front of Li Chengqian, "Your Majesty, here it is."
"What's in here?" Zhang Xianhuai couldn't suppress his curiosity and looked at Li Chengqian cautiously.
Li Chengqian's mouth corners slightly raised.
"What do you think it looks like?"
Zhang Xianhuai looked up and down at the package. It was tightly wrapped in a thick black cloth and was long and narrow. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Your Majesty, it looks like a flag to me."
Hearing Zhang Xianhuai's words, Li Chengqian smiled, his eyes full of approval, "You are right, this is indeed a flag."
After saying that, he held the package with both hands and shook off the black cloth outside.
In an instant, a brand new red flag fluttered in the breeze. The bright red color was so dazzling and hot, like a burning flame.
"red flag?"
Zhang Xianhuai's face was filled with confusion, his eyes filled with puzzlement. "Your Majesty, is there anything special about this red flag?"
Li Chengqian shook his head slightly, his gaze still fixed on the red flag, and said slowly, "It's nothing special, it's just a little thought from me."
After saying that, he used both hands to firmly plant the red flag in the ground.
Looking at the red flag dancing freely in the wind, Li Chengqian showed a relieved smile on his face.
He turned around, raised his hand and patted Zhang Xianhuai on the shoulder, saying, "Let's go to Qianling Mausoleum. I have something to say to the Queen."
Before Zhang Xianhuai could recover from this series of events, Li Chengqian had already taken big strides forward with extremely firm steps.
Only the red flag fluttering in the wind outside Zhaoling was left.