The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 796: Going with the flow
Li Shimin shook his head, putting aside the doubts and confusion that had just arisen, and looked at everyone and said, "If that's the case, then your final attitude is to agree to Tuli's conditions?"

Zhang Xuansu was the first to stand up. The prince was not in Chang'an, and his tutor was an important official in the court.

If the prince was here, he could only be a teacher in the East Palace, so he was the last one who wanted the prince to come back, so he said flatly: "This old minister agrees to accept Tuli's proposal and form an alliance with him."

"I, the old minister, agree too!"

Fang Xuanling thought for a moment and said, "The Crown Prince made such a great sacrifice for the victory of the war between the Tang Dynasty and the Turks. I think that this reason should not affect the Crown Prince's position as the heir to the throne, otherwise it will probably chill the hearts of the people in the world."

Seeing this, Changsun Wuji was very unhappy, but he had to say: "I agree with Xuanling's opinion. We cannot let the people who do things suffer injustice."

"However, if the prince stays in the grassland for a long time, we must give an explanation to the outside world. Even if we cannot keep it a secret forever, at least we cannot reveal the truth before defeating Jie Li. Otherwise, if someone in the court tells Jie Li about the prince's whereabouts, I am afraid Tuli will not be able to protect the prince's safety."

Li Shimin's expression froze, and he nodded silently: "Fuji's words make sense, Xuanling, how do you think this matter should be explained?"

"Your Majesty, how difficult is this?"

Fang Xuanling smiled slightly: "Now, the only ones who know the real situation are us, and at most the Empress, who are all sensible and know the importance of things."

"It just so happened that some time ago, Jie Li's army of tens of thousands surrounded the border town of Mayi, and the prince's itinerary happened to reach Mayi at that time, which surprised us. Fortunately, the prince was lucky enough to not encounter the meeting. I suspect that someone did leak the prince's whereabouts."

"In that case, why not just tell the public that the Crown Prince was attacked by the Turks while on an inspection trip to the north, and that his whereabouts are unknown after the siege of Mayi."

"The court continues to investigate externally. This will actually protect the prince's safety."

"Let's just delay it for now. After we defeat Jie Li, we will explain the situation to everyone. By then, Tuli's power will be enough to ensure that the prince is completely safe."

Fang Xuanling was indeed resourceful, and Changsun Wuji and Zhang Xuansu both nodded secretly.

"Just do as Xuan Su said. Only a few of us know the real situation. Don't let anyone know."

Seeing that everyone agreed, Li Shimin said decisively: "The Crown Prince has followed my order to marry the Tuli and temporarily live in the grassland. This is a great achievement. No one can use this as an excuse to shake your position as the crown prince."

"Xuansu, I will issue an edict to grant Tuli's daughter Ashina Yun as the crown prince's concubine. Considering that the border war is about to break out, it is inconvenient to travel, and we have to avoid Jie Li's eyes and ears, so we don't need to make it public. You don't have to come to Chang'an."

"You can preside over the wedding of the two of us on the grassland on my behalf, and all the ceremonies will be based on Tuli's opinion."

Zhang Xuansu cupped his hands and replied, "This old minister respects your order."

Li Shimin turned around and instructed Fang Xuanling, "Xuanling, the Queen doesn't know the situation yet. You go there and explain the reason and the subtlety of the situation to the Queen so that she can accept this situation."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I know the importance of this matter!" Fang Xuanling nodded in understanding, knowing that Li Shimin wanted him to speak in a favorable light as much as possible.

"Assistant, please take some time to persuade Wu Gou for me. I have no choice. The battle of Dingxiang is related to the survival of our Tang Dynasty. I can only put the country first and put aside the love affair for the time being. But fortunately, the prince is getting married, not being held hostage."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Sun Wuji thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince once said that a young eagle must leave the nest and face the blue sky alone. Going outside and experiencing the wind and rain will make the Crown Prince's shoulders stronger. After all, the Crown Prince will shoulder the responsibility of governing the country of the Tang Dynasty like the Emperor in the future."

"As parents, Your Majesty and your sister should be happy for Cheng Qian's growth!"

"Wuji is right. Even if the prince is on the grassland, he is not helpless. He has his own way to go, and we have to do our own things well."

Li Shimin put aside the sadness brought by his son's long journey and said excitedly: "In this case, the alliance with Tuli is settled. With the rise and fall of one and the fall of the other, defeating Jie Li is no longer a hope, but a necessity."

"Come, let's discuss how to arrange the front and how to fight this battle."

Li Shimin brought several important ministers to the map and began to discuss the front-line troop mobilization, deployment of generals, number of military horses, and grain transportation regulations. Everyone expressed their views, and a vague military plan slowly took shape in Li Shimin's mind.

Outside the Great Wall, the Tuli camp!
After Zhang Xuansu finished reading the decree, Li Yan and Ashina Yun took over the order. Although everything was as expected and within their plan, Li Yan's face still showed an undisguised expression of determination.

Zhang Xuansu pretended not to notice and handed the imperial edict, marriage certificate and a long gift list to the overjoyed Tuli. "The emperor said that he should have held a grand ceremony for the princess, but now the situation is special, so he has to temporarily put up with the princess." "But the emperor and the queen still miss the princess as their daughter-in-law, and gave her a mansion in Chang'an that is worthy of a prince, hundreds of maids and servants, as well as gold, silver, jade, silk and other gifts, all of which are equipped according to the standards of a crown prince's wife."

"The Emperor said that the specific procedures for the ceremony are up to the Khan."

Tuli did not go too far. He knew that he had already taken a great advantage, marrying his daughter in the name of marrying off a son-in-law. This was because Jie Li was pressing forward step by step and his army was approaching. Otherwise, Li Shimin would never accept such a humiliating surrender.

Looking at his daughter, whose face was filled with joy but whose belly was already swollen, Tuli knew that Li Shimin had given him enough face and kindness this time, and he had to give something back.

"Please ask the Master to go back and report to the Emperor. The Emperor's grace is so great that Tuli is deeply impressed."

Tuli immediately stated: "From today on, Tuli is a minister of the Tang Dynasty. The 50,000 soldiers under my command are at the disposal of the emperor. Even the cavalry under the command of Biheli and Xueyantuo will obey the emperor's orders and follow his will."

"Hahaha, great, Tuli Khan, from now on, we are a family!"

After some polite exchanges, Zhang Xuansu and Tuli pulled Li Yan to the side, appealed to his emotions and reason, and informed him of the current situation in the Tang Dynasty and the tremendous pressure faced by the emperor. Finally, they persuaded Li Yan to temporarily accept this situation.

"I have also visited the Eastern Palace, and the Crown Princess is doing well."

Zhang Xuansu said earnestly: "While the Crown Prince is away, the Emperor and the Empress have shown great care for the Crown Princess and have taken great care of her. The Emperor personally comforted the Crown Princess, and the Crown Princess has also accepted the situation of His Highness's temporary absence."

"I ask His Highness to take care of his health and put the overall situation first."

"Your Highness, before I left, the Emperor and the Empress both told you to endure some grievances for the time being and stabilize Tuli. After defeating Jie Li, the Emperor will discuss it with Tuli and make a long-term plan. By then, perhaps Tuli will change his mind and agree that Your Highness and the princess can return to Chang'an?"

Li Yan hung his head, as if he had suffered a great injustice, and whispered: "If that's the case, what else can I say? You guys should defeat Jie Li as soon as possible, and make an agreement to take me back. I don't want to stay in this grassland any longer."

Zhang Xuansu also knew that the prince had made a great sacrifice this time, and sighed: "I will stay for two days at most, until I see your highness get married with my own eyes, and after the three tribes leaders have a meeting, I will return to the capital to report."

"Jie Li has been making a lot of moves recently, constantly mobilizing troops across the Yellow River and into the Dingxiang front. The pressure on the Tang Dynasty has increased sharply. Jie Li also captured Mayi some time ago."

"However, the emperor said that Jie Li's focus is still in the interior of the country. He besieged Mayi because someone leaked your itinerary to him, and he went to Mayi to intercept your Highness. I don't know how much he knows, so even if you are in Tuli, your Highness must be careful about your safety."

"Your Majesty is already investigating the source of the leak. Even Cen Wenben was severely criticized by the Emperor and was locked up in the palace for several days."

"After discussing with Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji, the emperor decided to tell the public that the prince was besieged by Jie Li during his inspection of Mayi and his whereabouts are unknown, and his life or death is uncertain. This will not only cover up the alliance with Tuli, but also protect your highness's safety and delay your whereabouts as much as possible."

"After we defeat Jie Li, we will announce your marriage to the Turks to the world, so that all people will know that your Highness has made great sacrifices and contributions for the Tang Dynasty, and let the people appreciate your kindness."

"The Emperor has said that no one can take away the Crown Prince's position as heir to the throne. It is as solid as a rock and cannot be shaken by thunder. Your Highness does not need to worry."

Well.
Li Yan was stunned. Jie Li besieged Mayi to rescue his son Shi Luodie. Why would the court think that Jie Li did this to stop me?
But thinking back on my itinerary at that time, it was indeed too much of a coincidence!

Jie Li would certainly not tell anyone about it for fear that the Tang army would threaten his son's life.

However, Li Shimin's speculation and arrangement were beneficial to himself, and those who had ideas in their minds did not dare to act rashly.

"I understand. Although I am young, this is not the first time I have been a hostage. I understand the principle of 'no risk, no gain'."

Li Yan said calmly, "Master, please tell my father to rest assured that I will complete my mission and live up to my father's trust. Also, tell my mother not to worry about me, to take care of herself and wait for me to come home."

"As for the Crown Princess, my mother is here, so I have nothing to worry about. Tell her that I will be back soon and let her rest assured and take care of the baby. Don't worry too much. I only love her and she is the only one in my heart."

At this point, Li Yan looked around furtively like a thief. Seeing that Ashina Yun was not nearby, he whispered, "Tell her that in my eyes, the Hu princess is just a barbarian. She is incomparable to the fairy-like crabapple flower. I am not even worthy of carrying her shoes."

"I was just trying to please her and win over Tuli. I don't have any feelings for her at all."

"The one in Haitang's belly is the legitimate heir of the Tang Dynasty. Let her give birth to a healthy baby to inherit my position as crown prince in the future."

(End of this chapter)