bayedsolid Chapter 800 Li Zhi’s Bottom Line
Chapter 800 Li Zhi’s Bottom Line
On New Year's Day in Chang'an, the tiles are covered with white snow, and the red shadows of the palace walls and the silver frost on the glazed tiles complement each other.
In front of the Taiji Hall, the Jinwu Guards stood solemnly with their spears in hand, the vermilion pillars were hung with gilded palace lanterns, and the curling scent of sandalwood mixed with the cold winter air lingered among the towering halls.
During this festive occasion, the entire imperial city is immersed in a festive and solemn atmosphere. However, what is more eye-catching than the New Year's Day ceremony is the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony of Princess Yunhe.
The Taihe bell rang melodiously, and he slowly stepped onto the dragon throne.
The ministers were dressed in court robes and divided into two groups according to their ranks. The sound of jade pendants colliding was crisp and pleasant.
The cold wind was howling outside the hall, but it was warm inside. The jumping flames in the charcoal brazier cast everyone's shadows on the Panlong pillar, swaying unsteadily.
At this peaceful moment, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the tranquility in the hall.
Li Yifu hurried across the long steps and saluted at the bottom, his voice filled with unconcealed excitement: "Your Majesty, the envoys from the Roman Empire have arrived in Chang'an! They have come to congratulate the Tang Dynasty on New Year's Day and Princess Yunhe on her coming-of-age ceremony!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers in the hall began to whisper to each other.
The Tang Dynasty launched an expedition to the west, but the expedition ended in a stalemate. Although the Tang army was brave and invincible, the long-distance campaign and the difficulty of transporting food and grass led to an increasingly empty treasury. The people were burdened with heavier taxes and complaints gradually arose.
Before Li Zhi could speak, Li Yifu added another bombshell: "In addition, they also brought a letter of surrender from the later Roman emperor!"
This sentence is like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing thousands of waves.
The ministers were whispering to each other, with expressions of joy on everyone's faces.
Li Zhi raised his eyebrows slightly, raised his hand and gently stroked the jade pendant with dragon pattern on his waist, and a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Letter of surrender? These people really know us Han people very well, and they also know our Chinese emperor very well."
His voice was not loud, but it carried unquestionable majesty, and the hall instantly became quiet.
Li Zhi glanced at the ministers and continued, "They haven't lost yet. Everyone knows that if they drag on, the Tang Dynasty will no longer be able to conquer them. After two years of expedition, the Tang Dynasty's treasury can no longer sustain it. If we continue to fight, in the end, the people will suffer."
"You all keep asking me to stop the Western Expedition, and I am constantly considering your words."
"But now, that Roman Emperor has sent me a letter of surrender. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. What do you think?"
"My Great Tang can no longer hold on. Could it be that the Roman Empire can withstand the attack of my Great Tang?"
Li Zhi's words were sonorous and echoed in the empty hall.
He sat upright on the dragon throne, with the crown tassels swaying gently with the rhythm of his speech. It seemed like he was questioning, but in fact he was testing the attitudes of his ministers.
Li Yifu understood what he meant and stepped forward, bowing. "Your Majesty is wise! I believe that the Roman Empire's surrender may seem like a sign of weakness, but it actually harbors hidden ulterior motives."
"They knew that the Tang Dynasty was exhausted from the expedition, but they were unwilling to truly submit. So they used the guise of a 'letter of surrender' to seek peace, attempting to buy peace at the lowest possible cost."
Li Zhi nodded slightly.
"Li Yifu, go tell those envoys that the Tang Dynasty has enough power to continue the Western Expedition, and they also have enough power to continue the struggle."
"My Tang Dynasty's forced westward expedition has only severely damaged its vitality, while they are on the verge of national destruction and extinction."
"Tell them I do not accept their peace request. A request for peace is a request for peace. Why talk about surrender?"
After the words were spoken, the hall fell into a brief silence.
Which minister who can stand in this Taiji Hall is not a shrewd person?
They all knew in their hearts that Li Zhi's tough statement was just a show.
The Tang Dynasty did need to recuperate and stop this costly war, but the emperor's majesty could not be challenged. He had to gain the upper hand on the surface in order to end the war in a dignified manner.
Li Yifu naturally saw through Li Zhi's thoughts, but he still had to play his role according to the tacit understanding between the monarch and his subjects.
He spoke earnestly, "Your Majesty, in Chang'an, the proportion of non-Han people has reached 20%. Many foreigners have settled in Chang'an since the Zhenguan period, and their children are also learning our culture."
"It seems that barbarians can also accept the king's rule. Now, since the Roman Empire is seeking peace under the guise of surrender."
"I believe it would be more practical to turn hostility into friendship. Continuing the war would certainly enhance the prestige of the Tang Dynasty, but what would become of the people of the Tang Dynasty?"
"The late emperor said that the Tang Dynasty puts the people first. Your Majesty, please do not put the cart before the horse."
He secretly raised his eyes to observe Li Zhi's expression, only to see that the emperor frowned slightly and a barely perceptible hesitation flashed in his eyes.
Li Zhi sighed lightly and looked at the snowflakes floating outside the hall, as if he was lost in thought.
After a long pause, he withdrew his gaze and looked at Li Yifu, saying, "Lord Li, if we don't fight now, when will we? Go and tell those envoys that the Tang Dynasty will not accept peace talks. Send them back to where they came from."
After saying that, he waved his sleeves suddenly, stood up and left.
The dragon robe swept across the imperial desk, making a rustling sound, which caused the memorials on the desk to tremble slightly.
Looking at Li Zhi's departing back, the ministers looked at each other in confusion.
Li Yifu knew his majesty too well. This tough stance was simply to show the world the attitude of the Tang Dynasty.
It’s not that we can’t continue fighting, but that we are kind-hearted and don’t want to commit the sin of killing again.
After leaving the court, Li Yifu was not in a hurry to leave.
He waited in the side hall for a long time and was finally summoned by the eunuch.
When he saw Li Zhi, the emperor had changed out of his dragon robe and was wearing casual clothes, leaning on the couch.
"Your Majesty, I understand your painstaking efforts."
After Li Yifu saluted, he spoke first, "Your Majesty, this time, please tell me clearly what price you will pay for these satisfactions?"
Li Zhi put down the scroll and smiled with satisfaction: "It is Li Qing who understands me. How could I not know that the past two years of the Western Expedition have brought suffering to the people? However, as an emperor, there are things I must do and certain gestures I must make."
"First, disband the Roman Empire, give them different benefits, and disperse them so that they can never be unified."
"Secondly, Constantinople, the gateway to the West, belongs to the Tang Dynasty. Furthermore, the Middle East is ours to take for ourselves, and we will also ask them to cede some of their territory."
"Third, the Western nations may only claim the title of king, not emperor. Otherwise, I will conquer them. Furthermore, they will be required to pay compensation and annual tribute."
"These are my bottom lines. As for the rest, you can do whatever you want."
He stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the palace walls in the distance. A hint of fatigue lingered in his voice, "Pass on my order. Have the Honglu Temple properly entertain the envoys from the Roman Empire. We'll discuss this matter again after the New Year's Day ceremony."
At the same time, in the Honglu Temple, envoys from the Roman Empire were anxiously waiting for news.
The leading envoy, Aurelius, paced back and forth. His robe was embroidered with exquisite patterns, and the sword at his waist was inlaid with gems, highlighting his status.
"Why did His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty reject our letter of surrender?" He asked the Minister of the Ministry of Rites in stiff Chinese.
The Minister of Rites smiled and explained slowly, "Don't worry, Your Excellency. The Emperor of the Great Tang is unpredictable. Perhaps he feels your sincerity is insufficient. After the New Year's Day ceremony, everything will be settled."
Aurelius frowned, thinking to himself.
The war had caused huge losses to both sides, and the Roman Empire also longed for peace.
The "letter of surrender" was sent this time just to give the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty a way out, but he did not expect the other party to be so tough.
But he also understood that the Tang Dynasty's rejection might not be genuine.
Muawiyah had told him this before he came.
Be patient and wait!