roccoschili Chapter 558: Diplomatic Mission to India
Chapter 558: Diplomatic Mission to India
Inside the Liangyi Hall, the carved beams and painted buildings, and the glazed tiles sparkled with a warm glow under the sunlight. Li Chengqian stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on Li Jingyou who was standing in front of him.
This year, Li Jingyou just turned fourteen. He has shed his childishness and has grown into a young and handsome boy.
His figure is tall and straight, just like a green bamboo that breaks through the soil and strives to grow upwards.
The charm between his eyebrows and eyes is almost exactly the same as that of Li Chengqian when he was young. There is a sense of intelligence in his deep eyes, and under his straight nose is a pair of firm lips. He is born with the appearance of a dragon and a phoenix.
Looking around, Mr. Qi was wearing a plain robe and looked energetic. He stroked his beard. He was a fat man with a plump figure. At this moment, his eyes were slightly red and his face was full of emotion.
Li Wei stood aside with his posture straight, looking at Li Jingyou in a trance.
Su Zhi stood quietly, her eyes like a silk thread, tightly wrapped around her son, never moving away for a moment.
Everyone stared at Li Jingyou quietly. For a moment, the Liangyi Hall was so quiet that the only sound could be heard outside the hall: the rustling of leaves in the breeze.
Li Jingyou was wearing a bright red dress, which was sewn for him stitch by stitch by Su Zhi through countless quiet nights under candlelight.
Every stitch she makes reflects her care for her son.
Lin Dafu looked at the energetic Li Jingyou in front of him, then slowly turned his head and looked at Li Chengqian. The traces of time had quietly crept up to the corners of Li Chengqian's eyes.
Lin Dafu felt a pang of bitterness in his heart, and his eyes couldn't help but become moist. He said with a slightly trembling voice, "Yes, Your Majesty, it's so similar! It's exactly like you when you were young!"
Su Zhi also stared at the red clothes on Li Jingyou, and her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the past.
This time, most of the clothes in the bag she prepared for Li Jingyou were red.
She herself couldn't explain why she was so obsessed with red, but she always remembered clearly in the depths of her mind that when Li Chengqian was young, he was particularly fond of red.
Now seeing Li Jingyou standing there in red, looking exactly like Li Chengqian when he was young, Su Zhi felt a little comforted in her heart.
In her mind, Li Chengqian is omnipotent. He is the pillar of the Tang Dynasty and the support of her and her family.
She hopes that her son will have extraordinary abilities like his father, and that no matter what difficulties and obstacles he encounters in the future, he will be able to deal with them calmly and fearlessly like his father.
Li Jingyou felt uncomfortable under the intense gazes of the crowd. He subconsciously touched his head, a trace of shyness and confusion on his face.
There was a hint of confusion in his eyes. He didn't understand why everyone was looking at him like that. For a moment he was at a loss. His mouth opened slightly, and his throat seemed to be choked by something, but he didn't know what to say.
Li Chengqian looked at Li Jingyou's confused look and finally spoke slowly, breaking the long silence.
"You'er, great, you look like me and your grandfather."
Li Chengqian's voice was powerful and slowly echoed in the Liangyi Hall.
"This time when you go to Tianzhu, you are shouldering the mission of the Tang Dynasty. You must make Tianzhu submit."
"Remember, our Tang Dynasty is the Celestial Empire, with a strong national strength and a flourishing culture. You must look down upon others and demonstrate the majesty of our Tang Dynasty. Never allow outsiders to look down on our Tang Dynasty."
He paused slightly, his eyes revealing majesty.
"We must show the might of the Great Tang and make the King of India come to Chang'an to see me!"
"If this is successful, I will allow you to come back and give you a year's vacation."
Li Chengqian's tone softened slightly, with a hint of doting, just like an ordinary father making a promise to his beloved child.
Hearing this, Li Jingyou's eyes lit up instantly, dazzling and brilliant.
For a young man of his age, gold, silver and treasures are not as good as free and easy time.
The thought of having a whole year to himself after returning filled his heart with anticipation.
"I will definitely fulfill my mission!"
Li Jingyou bowed slightly, his voice clear and crisp, his young face full of determination, that unyielding spirit was very similar to Li Chengqian when he was young.
"kindness."
Li Chengqian nodded with satisfaction, with encouragement in his eyes.
"Go ahead, get ready to go. Everyone is waiting for you outside. It won't be good if you delay too long."
There was a hint of concern in his eyes, like a father's worry for his son's long journey. "Be careful on the road!"
Li Jingyou nodded heavily, looked at Li Chengqian first, and called out respectfully, "Father!"
Then he turned his gaze to Su Zhi, "Mother, I will leave right away!"
Su Zhi held back her tears, nodded with heartache, her voice trembling.
"You'er, be careful on the road and take good care of yourself! I made some pastries in your bag. They're your favorite flavor. Remember to eat them when you're hungry!"
"Yes, mother!" Li Jingyou answered sensibly, with a hint of sob in his voice.
Hearing her son's response, Su Zhi could no longer hold back her tears, which burst out and slid down her cheeks.
She hurriedly looked at Qin Ruzhao, clasping her hands tightly together: "General Qin, you must, you must take good care of You'er!"
Qin Ruzhao immediately straightened his back, clasped his hands together, and nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will definitely protect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Li Chengqian frowned slightly upon seeing this and said seriously, "Nonsense! This is a matter of state. How can we sacrifice public interests for personal ones?"
He looked at Qin Ruzhao with a firm gaze.
"Ruzhao, just do what you have to do. There's no need to change what you were going to do just because of Prince You'er's identity."
"To subdue India is your mission."
"Go, follow my orders, the team is off!"
Li Chengqian waved his hand.
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
Qin Ruzhao bowed and accepted the order, then turned around and strode out of the Liangyi Hall.
In the early spring of the sixteenth year of Qianwu, the breeze was blowing gently and the sun was shining brightly.
The delegation led by Li Jingyou, the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, embarked on a grand journey to India.
The delegation marched slowly through the streets of Chang'an.
The streets were lined with common people and officials, who stopped to watch, their eyes full of anticipation.
This was the first time in history that a prince had been sent on a diplomatic mission. The entire city of Chang'an was paying close attention to it, and people flocked to the streets to watch the delegation leave.
Qin Ruzhao noticed that almost all the officials in Chang'an had come.
Because the one traveling this time is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Of the six ministers of state, five came voluntarily.
Only Li Wei followed Li Chengqian.
This situation made Qin Ruzhao look at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince beside him twice more.