hsntnovel Chapter 2666: My Thoughts After Watching Songtsen Gampo
Chapter 2666: My Thoughts After Watching Songtsen Gampo
Li Shen never expected his daughter to be so well-connected, able to talk to anyone.
"Xixi, remember to keep a low profile in the future. Don't say anything before you've accomplished something."
What if it fails? Wouldn't we be laughed at? Do you understand?
Li Shen started educating Xi Xi.
Xi Xi nodded.
"Alright, you and your brother go outside and wait for a bit. I'll change my clothes and come out to join you in setting off the fireworks."
Li Shen put Xi Xi down and waited for Xi Xi to take Yang Yang out before continuing to change his clothes.
At the highest point of Prince Ji's mansion, Li Shen stood in the pavilion with his family. Every year when fireworks were set off, Li Shen would watch from here, so he didn't need to tilt his head back to treat his cervical spondylosis.
At Li Shen's command, fireworks from the Prince Ji's residence were the first to rise into the sky, then exploded in the air, flashing with colorful hues, followed by a loud bang that pierced the sky.
The people of Chang'an looked up, knowing that the Ji Prince's Mansion's program had begun. In recent years, the Ji Prince's Mansion had put on this show every festival.
They only know it's called fireworks, but nobody knows exactly what it is. Many people speculate that it was shot up by a powerful crossbow.
In fact, Li Shen's firework display was just a signal flare, telling everyone to prepare to begin, but more importantly, to remind those inside the palace.
Even in such a prosperous era, Li Shen could not overstep the bounds; he still had to let the palace release the items first.
Sure enough, not long after, three beams of light rose into the sky above the direction of the palace, and then exploded brilliantly in the sky.
Then fireworks began to rise from all directions of Chang'an City, all prepared in advance by that group of纨绔 (sons of wealthy and powerful families).
The people cheered with joy at the sight, and the fireworks at Prince Ji's Mansion added a touch of color to the festival.
"What is this?"
Inside the residence prepared for Songtsen Gampo, he stood on the second-floor platform, gazing at the distant sky, which was as bright as day the moment the fireworks exploded.
"Replying to the Zanpu, this is called fireworks. It comes from the Ji Prince's Mansion. Every time there is a festival in the Tang Dynasty, the Ji Prince's Mansion will bring it out for the people to enjoy."
Today is the first day of the new year, which is why it appears in many places.
Standing beside Songtsen Gampo, Gar Tongtsen explained that he had lived in Chang'an for a long time and was quite knowledgeable about the matter.
"Truly exquisite craftsmanship, such beauty, the Tang Dynasty is truly a magical place."
Looking at the fireworks that frequently rose and bloomed in the distance, Songtsen Gampo sighed with heartfelt admiration.
This was the first time in his life he had seen something so beautiful.
"Your Majesty, it's very lively outside tonight. Didn't Your Majesty want to see the customs and culture of the Tang Dynasty? Why don't you go out?"
"I am puzzled," asked the Grand Chancellor, Mangbujie Shangnang.
Upon arriving in Chang'an, their king decided to wander around and see what the Tang Dynasty's Chang'an was like, but after leaving the palace, he decided not to go out again.
"I just saw it, and the people on the street are all smiling, which means they are doing well."
This is only possible when people live in peace and contentment, with no worries about food and clothing.
Besides, when I go out, I'm stared at by a group of people, and I don't like that feeling.
Songtsen Gampo replied.
He did want to go out, but after seeing the Tang guards who were with him, he gave up the idea.
He wouldn't care if they were his own guards, but these people were the Tang Dynasty's military guards. They were supposed to protect him, but in reality, it was no different from surveillance.
He believed that if he went out, his every word and action would soon be known to the Tang emperor.
Since that's the case, it's better not to go out.
"Zanpu, it seems we still need to contact Prince Ji. Today, you have shown your sincerity and lowered your stance, but the Emperor of Tang still maintains this attitude."
This must be related to Prince Ji.
Lu Dongzan offered his suggestion from the side.
He hadn't expected that Prince Ji's influence would be so great that it could affect the peace talks between the two countries and even the will of the Tang emperor.
"Yes, go to Prince Ji's residence in a few days and tell him that we can agree to the conditions. Five thousand catties of gold will be transported from Tibet immediately."
But he had to guarantee that peace talks would be reached, and that I would leave safely.
Songtsen Gampo nodded after some thought. It seemed that they really couldn't do without this young prince; judging from how close he was to the Tang emperor at the banquet today...
Songtsen Gampo knew that the peace talks still depended on this young prince.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go in a few days. It seems that our allies are unreliable. They have no right to speak in front of the Emperor of Tang."
Lu Dongzan immediately accepted the order.
"Heh, them? They're nothing but clowns. Doesn't the Great Tang always talk about assessing the situation and acting accordingly? They haven't even recognized their own limitations."
But this is for the best, so that it can be used to my advantage.
Upon hearing Lu Dongzan's words, Songtsen Gampo smiled.
He was the Zanpu of Tibet, a regional hegemon who unified Tibet. If he didn't even have this much vision, how could he have reached this position?
Only by assessing the situation and understanding the circumstances can one avoid misfortune and remain undefeated.
"What the Zanpu says is true. Should we agree to their demands and give them some assistance?"
Lu Dongzan thought for a moment and then asked.
Songtsen Gampo shook his head:
"Don't rush, it's not the right time yet. Helping them now would be pointless. We should wait until the crucial moment."
Giving them benefits now would be like throwing lambs to the slaughter; they're wolves that can't be tamed.
"Your Majesty is wise. The Tang people do indeed enjoy internal strife. As long as we seize the opportunity, we will surely have a chance."
Niang Mangbujie Shangnang echoed.
"Ah, how wonderful it would be if all of this belonged to my Tibet."
Gazing at the distant starry sky, which was bursting with brilliant colors, Songtsen Gampo couldn't help but look around. This land was fertile, rich in resources, and blessed with outstanding people.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, that day will come." Gar Tongtsen also gazed into the distance.
The three fell silent for a moment, and after an unknown amount of time, the fireworks in the sky stopped.
Songtsen Gampo then led the two back to their room. Gar Tongtsen dismissed the servants, leaving only the three of them sitting around the tea table.
"This Prince Ji's residence has indeed produced many fine things." After sitting down, Songtsen Gampo picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Reporting to the Zanpu, I heard that all these things in Prince Ji's residence were made by Prince Ji himself."
Lu Dongzan looked at the tea in his hand and spoke slowly.
"Oh? They were all made by Prince Ji? Heh, it seems I underestimated him."
I never imagined that the young prince of the Tang Dynasty would possess such talent and intelligence.
Lu Dongzan's words surprised Songtsen Gampo. On the day he entered the city, Lu Dongzan told him everything about the Ji Prince's Palace.
They also bought him fine wines, delicacies, tea, and a very fragrant soap after bathing, which amazed Songtsen Gampo.
Let's talk about how amazing things can exist in this world.
"Yes, that's why Prince Ji is so wealthy that he's practically a king. The formula he has is coveted by all the major powers in the Tang Dynasty."
Lu Dongzan also sighed.
“Then we must not let him accumulate wealth for the Tang Dynasty’s royal family.” Songtsen Gampo’s eyes sharpened.
(Have you noticed that some people are constantly trying to sow discord among the Chinese people and deny the existence of other ethnic groups?)
For example, the internet is full of blatant praise, but the achievements of Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang, and Emperor Taizu of Song are not mentioned at all, and everyone knows why.
Even Hanfu has been turned into Ming Dynasty Hanfu; what ulterior motives are behind this?