Three whips break the father-son relationship, please call me prince

Chapter 136: Grand Court Meeting, Military Merit Commendation Ceremony
After offering the captives, the Xueyantuo Khanate completely disappeared in the long river of history.

In the future, the grassland will be controlled by the Tang Dynasty, and it will become a place where the Tang Dynasty provides meat and other resources.

A few days later, the grand court meeting arrived.

The highlight is of course to commend the soldiers.

All officials in Chang'an who were of high rank attended the ceremony.

Li Chengqian rode in a sedan chair, set out from the Eastern Palace, and entered through Chengtian Gate.

No one dared to say anything anymore.

It has become a tacit practice for him to enter the court alone after the other ministers.

Outside the Taiji Hall, hundreds of soldiers who were ready to receive commendations held their heads high, looking full of energy and vigorous spirit.

After Li Chengqian's experience, many people came to see him.

He nodded in response, glanced around, and was surprised to find a black man among them.

There was no way not to see him, mainly because he was too conspicuous among a group of Tang Dynasty soldiers and could be seen at a glance.

Li Chengqian stopped and looked at him, wondering whether this was an African black man or an Indian black man?

But judging from his sturdy and strong physique like an ox, he does fit the image of an African black man.

Xue Li and others lowered their heads, but they could still catch a glimpse of the prince stopping in his tracks, suddenly confused, but not daring to look up.

Only after he heard the prince's footsteps and disappeared into the hall did he dare to stand up.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, respectfully asking about His Royal Highness's health!"

Li Chengqian walked into the Taiji Hall, and all the ministers came to pay their respects immediately with loud voices and cheers.

"Guan!"

"No need to bow, gentlemen!"

Li Chengqian said calmly, walked to his seat and stood there.

Li Shimin hasn't arrived yet, so no one can sit down first.

He is also included.

What needs to be followed must still be followed.

To ensure the majesty of the emperor is to ensure the majesty of his prince.

The emperor has not arrived today, so if he sits down, wouldn't that damage his own dignity?

"His Majesty is here!"

With a loud voice, Li Shimin came in wearing the emperor's robes, and all the ministers bowed to him: "Your Majesty, I respectfully wish you a happy life!"

"I'm in peace!"

"Excuse me!"

Li Shimin sat down, threw his sleeves on the armrest, and said, "Take a seat!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian sat at an angle. It wasn't because his posture was wrong, but because his seat as the crown prince was placed at an angle.

One side can see the emperor, and the other side can see all the ministers.

"Today's grand court meeting is about one thing."

"Hold a commendation ceremony to highlight the merits of the soldiers in destroying the Xueyantuo."

"Our Heavenly Army soldiers are invincible and have unparalleled military exploits. Today we commend one hundred meritorious soldiers, all of whom are outstanding in military merit."

"This move is intended to show appreciation, and is the highest honor in the military."

Li Shimin said: "Ministry of Rites!"

"Chen is here!"

Li Daozon stood up, walked quickly into the hall, bowed and listened.

"You will preside over today's ceremony."

"According to the order!"

This is as it should be. As the Minister of Rites, Li Daozon has the responsibility to preside over the ceremony.

He waited for the eunuch to come down with the wooden tray, carefully took the imperial edict from it, bowed to Li Shimin, then bowed slightly to Li Chengqian, turned around, unfolded the imperial edict, and announced:
"Order from the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty, and from the Crown Prince of the Great Tang Dynasty: ..."

This matter was proposed by Li Chengqian, so he should be given the title of Crown Prince.

Li Shimin had almost acquiesced. As long as the suggestions were made by the Eastern Palace, the title of Crown Prince would be added after him.

The ministers were not surprised and took it for granted.

This is not the first time I have seen it. The more you see it, the more you will become desensitized to it. It would be strange if you don’t see it again.

"To commend and encourage the soldiers to defend their country and fight bravely against the enemy, so that their merits will be recognized and their actions will be effective."

"We have specially set up four major military merits: special military merit, first-class military merit, second-class military merit, and third-class military merit, and they are marked with the Azure Dragon Gold Medal, White Tiger Silver Medal, Vermillion Bird Bronze Medal, and Black Tortoise Iron Medal."

He read it aloud, and there were ceremonial officials outside the hall, who looked at the officials and soldiers and read them aloud.

Xue Li was shocked. It turned out that this commendation was like this.

It is not as simple as an audience with His Majesty.

After Li Daozon finished reading it, there was almost no reaction from the ministers.

We had discussed it before and reached a consensus, otherwise it would not have been possible to bring it out so easily.

However, the way they looked at the prince had more meaning.

Because this was another plan proposed by the prince.

Li Chengqian looked at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, and was completely unaware of the outside world.

Li Daozon solemnly put away the imperial edict, and then took an imperial decree from the wooden tray held by the eunuch.

He still saluted Li Shimin first, and then bowed to Li Chengqian.

It may seem cumbersome, but as the Minister of Rites, these etiquettes are absolutely indispensable to him.

Otherwise, I don’t know how many people would find excuses to impeach him.

Only when you do things correctly, perfectly and without flaws will others have nothing to say.

"The Emperor of the Great Tang ordered that when commending soldiers, their military merits shall be evaluated."

"A soldier of special merit..."

Li Dao Zong raised his eyes and looked around, then continued reading: "Xue Li, the captain of the new army!"

"He fought bravely and courageously, captured the Xueyantuo royal family alive, killed several generals, and captured many... "

"Xu Xiao, the chief of the Zhechongfu, was brave and resolute, extremely smart, and had a deep understanding of the war. He led the troops and captured Xueyantuo Khan Yishiyinan..."

"These two have made outstanding military achievements and are loyal and brave. They should be awarded the title of special meritorious ministers and be awarded the Azure Dragon Gold Medal."

Li Shimin said: "Call the two men into the palace!"

"Your Majesty has ordered that the chief cook of the Xin Army, Xue Li, and the chief cook of the Zhechong Mansion, Xu Xiao, enter the palace!"

Xue Li and Xu Xiao entered the palace together, walked to the center of the palace, and immediately paid homage. They had been trained in etiquette by the Ministry of Rites beforehand, and knew what to do in front of the emperor.

"No gift!"

Li Shimin said in a calm voice, then he stood up and walked down from the Danbi.

Li Chengqian also stood up, and the ministers stood up as well.

"I am very pleased that you two have made outstanding achievements. If all the soldiers in the army follow your example, then our Tang Dynasty will be invincible."

Li Shimin said loudly.

Xue Li and Xu Xiao were trembling with fear. This was their first time seeing the emperor, and also their first time participating in such a grand occasion.

You know, this hall contains the most top-notch figures in the Tang Dynasty.

I am still the center of attention.

How could they not be excited and nervous.

Li Chengqian held the wooden tray in both hands, walked slowly closer, and stood beside Li Shimin.

Today's special meritorious service soldier.

Your Majesty personally granted it, the Crown Prince entrusted it with the imperial edict, and all the ministers were in a solemn manner.

Li Shimin took a gold seal with a blue dragon from the tray. It was hand-carved with superb craftsmanship.

The material is made of pure gold. There is a dragon pattern engraved in the gold seal, and a "special" character, which complements it.

"Xue Li, you are very good. Today I personally present you with the Azure Dragon Gold Seal. I hope you will remember your original aspiration and defend your country in the future."

"Yes!"

Xue Li shouted excitedly when he saw His Majesty personally pin the Blue Dragon Gold Medal of Special Merit on his chest.

An indescribable excitement almost burst out.

His body was trembling visibly, and even though he tried his best to suppress it, he was unable to control his body's instinctive reaction.

Li Shimin patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him again, followed by Xu Xiao.

In comparison, Xu Xiao's background did not bring any advantages. He was simply a captain and soldier in the Zhechoufu.

He never thought that he would have this day.

Will stand in the Tai Chi Hall.

You will receive the emperor's personal reward.

With the emperor right before his eyes, Xu Xiao was even more unable to control his emotions than Xue Li.

Li Shimin took the second Azure Dragon Gold Seal and said, "I know you."

"I am saddened that your brother died on the battlefield."

"But your brother died a worthy death. Dying on the battlefield is the highest honor for a soldier."

"I hope you can turn your grief into strength, remain loyal, fight bravely, and serve your country."

Xu Xiao was in tears. When the emperor personally pinned the Azure Dragon Seal on his chest, he held back his grief and cried out:

"Yes!"

Li Shimin patted his shoulder to comfort him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty for your grace!"

The two men held their heads high and their chests puffed out. The gold medals on their chests sparkled brightly and were eye-catching.

Under the gaze of the ministers, they walked out of the palace with firm steps.

It's almost conceivable.

The future prospects of these two first-class meritorious service soldiers are bound to be limitless.

Some people even started to think about whether there was any marriage available and whether they could find a woman to marry as their son-in-law.

Li Chengqian couldn't help but shake his head. Logically speaking, Su Lie should also have been awarded this special military merit.

Unfortunately, it was messed up by Li Jing.

I don’t know what Li Jing thought when he saw this.

Should I regret it or be glad?
What he was more curious about was whether Su Lie would be dissatisfied with his master after he knew about it?

How could a master ruin his disciple's life?

Next, it is the first-class military merit.

Li Shimin and Li Chengqian don't need to take action this time.

Instead, it was Li Xiaogong, Li Jing and others.

A group of soldiers entered the hall.

Li Chengqian discovered Odebiao.

He was also among the first-class military merits.

Li Chengqian thought about the list and remembered a name called Deler, which was very different from the other names.

The key point is that Odebiao is also a General of the Central Army.

This military rank is not low at all.

In the Tang Dynasty, people said there were "Kunlun slaves and Silla maids", which meant that Kunlun slaves were useful and Silla maids were gentle and beautiful.

It seems that Odebiao is doing very well in the Tang Dynasty.

It can be said that he is the leader of the Kunlun slaves in the Tang Dynasty.

But I have to sigh that the inclusiveness of Tang Dynasty culture is fucking exaggerated.

It's outrageous that a Kunlun black slave can become a general.

Li Chengqian had a little tinted glasses, but when he thought about the national conditions of the Tang Dynasty, he felt relieved.

After all, the peculiar thing about the Tang Dynasty is the foreign ministers and generals who have established themselves in the Tang Dynasty.

They are really good at fighting and are even particularly loyal and reliable.

Of course, those who can stand out and be employed by the Tang Dynasty must have something special.

Otherwise, it would not be accepted by the ministers.

The commendation ceremony lasted for a long time before all the hundreds of people were commended.

"Order Yan Liben to paint a collective portrait of 100 people."

Li Shimin gave the order.

At this point, the commendation ceremony, which was proposed for the first time by the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, personally participated in by Li Shimin, and presided over by the Minister of Rites, was officially declared over.

This also means that the Tang Dynasty’s military merit system has added another form of honor.

The historian also used pen and ink to clearly record this commendation ceremony, leaving a traceable and historical record for the future.

(End of this chapter)