Chapter Thirteen: The Trading Hall

Within the great hall, every heart brimmed with anticipation.

After all, whether it was the Hexi trade market, the military settlement reforms, or the commercial tax overhaul, any one of these matters, no matter who presided over it, would be an extraordinary achievement.

Some ministers, lacking composure, even longed to step forward and volunteer themselves.

Even if it meant being irrevocably bound to Crown Prince Li Chengqian’s cause, they deemed it a price worth paying.

For just witnessing the Crown Prince’s commanding presence at his first public address filled everyone with confidence about his future prospects.

At that moment, Emperor Taizong suddenly spoke, delivering a decisive decree:

“Since all ministers present have no objections, I approve all that the Crown Prince has proposed!”

“Crown Prince!”

Li Chengqian, elated, quickly regained his composure and bowed respectfully. “Your humble son is present!”

“I hereby entrust the Crown Prince with the management of the Hexi trade market, with the Ministries of War and Revenue assisting.”

“I entrust the Crown Prince with the establishment of the new Maritime Trade Office, assisted by the Ministries of Personnel and Revenue.”

“I entrust the Crown Prince with overseeing the Hexi military settlement reforms, assisted by the Ministries of War, Public Works, and Revenue.”

“The Crown Prince’s contributions merit trust and authority. Ten officials may be appointed to the Eastern Palace with discretionary powers, with no limit on retainers, to facilitate affairs. Expenses shall be drawn from the imperial treasury.”

“Your humble son thanks the Father Emperor!” Li Chengqian accepted the orders, his heart overflowing with joy.

Emperor Taizong nodded and then turned to the ministers.

“As for the reform and reduction of commercial tax checkpoints, Chancellor Changsun Wuji shall take charge, assisted by the Ministries of Personnel, Revenue, and War. Tax checkpoint soldiers may be selectively transferred to serve under the Maritime Trade Office to prevent unrest.”

“We accept the command; Your Majesty is wise!” the ministers responded in unison.

With Chancellor Changsun Wuji leading officials from the Ministries of Personnel, War, and Revenue, the imperial mandate was formally received.

Thus, the matter was settled.

However, the question of Prince Wei’s position in Hexi hung in the air.

After receiving his orders, Changsun Wuji cast a dark, piercing glance at Prince Wei Li Tai, who was trembling and trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.

Before he could challenge, Li Chengqian suddenly stepped forward and bowed deeply.

“Your Majesty, since all my proposals have been approved today, may I report on the candidate to govern Hexi?”

“Father, would you consider appointing my fourth brother, Prince Wei Li Tai?”

“After all, throughout the entire court, no one is more suitable than my fourth brother.”

Li Chengqian was clearly pressing his advantage.

Prince Wei, called out before the court, turned pale.

Emperor Taizong, however, looked at him with amused interest and asked, “Prince Wei, what do you think?”

Prince Wei was dumbfounded, his mind blank.

“Fa…Father Emperor, your servant obeys the command!” Knowing he had no choice, Li Tai stammered, falling to the ground.

Seeing his obvious reluctance yet inability to refuse, Emperor Taizong felt somewhat disappointed.

He never truly intended to have Prince Wei govern Hexi.

His question was merely a test of the prince’s loyalty.

Judging by Prince Wei’s demeanor, the emperor’s disappointment deepened.

In fact, he looked at the prince’s large, pale, and corpulent figure with a hint of disdain.

After some thought, Emperor Taizong shook his head.

“Enough. Princess Wei Zheng recently gave birth to a royal grandson. You are a new father; how could I bear to separate you from your flesh and blood?”

With that, he turned away, no longer looking at Prince Wei’s pitiable state, and addressed the ministers:

“As for the appointment to govern the Western Regions, all ministers shall propose candidates after court adjourns. We shall select through collective recommendation.”

“We accept the command!” the ministers responded once more.

Prince Wei Li Tai’s face, once flushed red with embarrassment, now seemed even more bloated and porcine as he lay there.

Nearby, Li Chengqian frowned in disdain.

“Father…”

Having just tasted victory, Li Chengqian was unwilling to let Li Tai off so easily. He stepped forward again.

“I still believe that to govern the Western Regions, Prince Wei is the most suitable choice. If replaced by another, it may be difficult to command the troops and stabilize the people.”

“Besides, as I have said before, my fourth brother is exceptionally literate…”

Li Chengqian, somewhat carried away by pride, failed to notice Emperor Taizong’s displeased expression as he spoke on and on.

“Crown Prince!” Emperor Taizong suddenly interrupted.

“I have said, the candidate shall be proposed by the officials for court selection.”

“Do you, Crown Prince, believe that the civil and military officials are inferior to you?”

Li Chengqian was dumbfounded.

His mind flashed back to the repeated warnings Zhao Mu had given him the night before their parting.

“Do not be arrogant; know that the Emperor’s divine authority is unfathomable…”

Seeing Emperor Taizong’s now grim countenance, Li Chengqian regretted so deeply he almost wanted to slap himself in public.

Indeed, ignoring Brother Zhao’s advice and acting on his own would lead to mistakes.

Alas… it was such a rare moment to have the Father Emperor hold him in high regard.

While Li Chengqian was filled with remorse, Emperor Taizong was growing weary.

He waved his hand.

“Enough. I am somewhat tired today. Court is adjourned!”

Emperor Taizong had been reflecting on Li Chengqian’s earlier brilliance and contrasting it with Prince Wei’s timid cowardice, thinking how even sons of a dragon might differ greatly.

Yet Li Chengqian’s determination to send his brother Li Tai to the frontier had angered him.

He had seized the throne by killing his brothers but never intended for his descendants to endure such strife.

Though he had previously used Prince Wei to temper the Crown Prince, he never wished for the two brothers to fall out.

Today, first Li Tai had challenged openly, then the Crown Prince tried to send him away, even refusing credit for himself.

Emperor Taizong recalled Zhao Mu’s words from last night.

Could it be…

I truly have no way to bring harmony and peace to the royal family?

Back in the imperial study, Emperor Taizong pondered deeply.

Yet, to have the royal brothers live in harmony like ordinary people was a challenge as old as time.

No matter how he strained his mind, no good solution came.

Finally, he found himself wondering if the brilliant Zhao Mu might have a solution.

After all, someone as wise as Zhao Mu had brought about such remarkable changes even in a proud man like Gaoming.

Perhaps he could solve this age-old dilemma.

For a moment, Emperor Taizong forgot to review memorials, his mind filled with Zhao Mu’s image.

As for Li Chengqian, who had triumphed today thanks to Zhao Mu’s counsel, he was even more jubilant.

No sooner had the emperor left, the court’s adjournment bell still ringing, than Crown Prince Li Chengqian brushed off officials eager to congratulate or pay respects and hurried out of the palace.

Outside the hall, Changsun Wuji and other senior ministers stood in small groups on the stone steps, staring after the departing Crown Prince, unable to collect their thoughts.

After a long moment, Fang Xuanling sighed appreciatively.

“Today we have truly witnessed… the majesty and grace of the Dragon Emblem, the dignity of the Crown Prince. How fortunate is our Tang Dynasty!”